Aiming high for disabled children

Release Date:  22-Jun-2009

Bristol aims high for disabled children

A new £2.4 million funding package will improve support available to disabled children in Bristol over the next two years.

Aiming High for Disabled Children is a major government project to invest in services for children with disabilities. National funding from both the Department of Children, Schools and Families and the Department of Health provides an opportunity to transform services for disabled children.

In Bristol, DCSF has allocated a £2.4 million grant over the next two years to improve short break services.

Short breaks mean parents of disabled children are able to have regular planned breaks from the responsibility of caring for their child, at the same time giving the child or young person the opportunity to experience new environments and situations. Short breaks can be for a few hours during the day or evening, overnight, or at the weekend. They might be provided at home, at a community, sports or youth centre, or a care home. Short breaks will be available both during term time and in school holidays.

Around 200 disabled children in Bristol are expected to benefit from the development of short break services. Funding could be used to:
- commission more breaks from existing providers;
- offer increased payments to families for them to arrange breaks to suit their needs;
- develop youth and leisure services;
- expand out of hours services at special schools;
- further develop specialist foster care;
- improve transport options;
- increase and improve the workforce.

In addition, NHS Bristol has committed over £500,000 over the next two years towards the Aiming High for Disabled Children agenda. Together for Disabled Children, the national support agency for local areas, has commended Bristol on its excellent partnership working to achieve this level of joint funding and will be using  Bristol as a national example of good partnership working.

Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Clare Campion-Smith, said: "Short breaks can be a lifeline for parents who care for a disabled child. It can be a chance for them to spend time with other children in the family, get tasks such as a supermarket shop done or take some time for themselves. They often cannot do such simple things when they are caring for their disabled child.  This funding is a great opportunity for us to further develop short break support for families in Bristol.  It reduces the risk of things getting too much for families.  It keeps families together and lowers the possibility of children being taken into care."

Parents and providers of short breaks are being asked to give their opinion on plans as they are developed.

Background

1. 'Aiming High for Disabled Children: better support for families' was launched in May 2007 by the government and focuses on:

- access to services and families having more confidence, choice and control;
- responsive services and timely support; and
- improving the quality and quantity of services

Author:   Julia Walton 0117 9222732

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