Click here to see new report launched by Contact A Family on the work of parent forums across the country in shaping health services
Waving not Drowning November and December 2011 Newsletter
Click here to read
National Network of Parent Carer Forums - click here for December 2011 issue
Motability – changes to Insurance
Response to Auxiliary Aids Consultation
Working with National Parent Partnership Network
Work with SEN Green Paper Pathfinders
Work with Council for Disabled Children
Raising the profile of Parent Carer Participation
Work with other DfE Contracted Partners and Grant Holders
Work with the Special Education Consortium
Involvement with the Department for Works and Pensions
Links with the Department of Health
Links with the Department for Education
Meeting re Any Qualified Provider
Work on the EDCM Tadworth Disabled Children and Health Project
Meeting with Sarah Teather
Draft Resources for training teachers in SEN
Contact a Family -December 2011 Newsletter
Lots of news and events. Click here to read
Consultation on Auxiliary Aids for Children with Disabilities - A briefing for the Special Educational Consortium
Details of consultation
The full consultation can be found here
Closing date for consultation: Monday 5 December 2011
Click here for more info
Congratulations to Daytrippers Bolton for being nominated for The Community Organisation Award for Disability!
The National Diversity Awards 2012 is dedicated to celebrating the achievements of positive role models and community organisations across the Nation, promoting Diversity and equality with the aim to empower and inspire the wide breadth of diverse communities within the UK. The National Diversity Awards is honoured to incorporate Daytrippers in our work, and we hope that you nominate for them now!
If you would like to nominate Daytrippers Bolton then please CLICK HERE and spread the word
Address: 29-31 Seymour Terrace, Seymour Street, Liverpool, L3 5PE.
Telephone: 0151 7085775
Email: emma@thediversitygroup.co.uk
Website: http://www.nationaldiversityawards.co.uk/ and http://www.thediversitygroup.co.uk/
TACinterconnections Bulletin - Free monthly bulletin Issue 95 November 2011
Sharing information, helping build the knowledge base and promoting teamwork around babies, children and young people with disabilities and special needs.
Click here to read bulletin
Policy, news and initiatives update – Friday 11th November 2011
This weekly update brings together all news items released that may have an impact on KIDS work with disabled children, as well as providing an overview of what avenues we may need to pursue with regards to funding applications.
Click here to read the news
KIDS and Mencap report on holiday childcare crisis for parents of disabled children
Click here to read report
Read about KIDS, 40th Anniversary , history etc here: http://www.kids.org.uk/information/100140/about_us/
Read about MENCAP who are one of the largest providers of services, information and advice for people with a learning disability across England, Northern Ireland and Wales: http://www.mencap.org.uk/
Local Square Table Learning and Evaluation Report following the 37 events in England. The report captures the opportunity provided by the Local Square Table Programme for service providers, commissioners and children, young people and their families across the children's palliative care community to deepen their understanding of the current issues and challenges facing the sector. Please feel free to pass it onto families and colleagues who may be interested in the content.
A UK Square Table event will take place in Westminster, London on Thursday 17 November. The event will include colleagues from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Click here to view report
We’re looking at recruiting new players for AFC Masters. To join up call Iain on 01204 337100 or email iain.massingham@bolton.gov.uk
For further info click here
Include Me TOO is encouraging parents and carers groups/forums and networks to support as many parents and carers possible to become aware of the National Include Me TOO Charter of Rights for disabled children and young people and the RESPECT CODE of Practice seven principles suggested by disabled children, young people and their parents and carers.
"My Wheelchair is my shoes - Making the case for wheelcair reform"
Report just published by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Paediatric Mobility and Whizz Kids "My Wheelchair is my shoes - Making the case for wheelcair reform" - see News section.
Click here to read report
Have you visited your local Children’s Centre?
Do you know what they have to offer? If not, here are just some of the activities that they provide. Click here for information
To find you nearest centre call 01204 332170
Easter Disco on April 1st 2011
A group of Bolton families with disabled children had a fantastic night out on April 1st, at the BACPAC Easter disco which took place at the RMI in Horwich. Seventy people enjoyed the games, dancing and food, and the kids even got an Easter goody bag. Amazing balloon sculptures and a Sweety Bar complete with Easter cake provided by Bow So Sweet (www.bowsosweet.co.uk) all added to the Easter theme.
Click here to see photos
This bulletin provides News and Examples of what works well in the regions, with a focus on Parent Participation. If you have an innovative and effective example of Parent Participation that you would like to share, a question to ask or something that helped that might be useful to share then please contact claire.harding@cafamily.org.uk
Click here to read newsletter
14 February 2011 - Blue Badge Reform
The government has today made an announcement on the most significant reform to the Blue Badge scheme in forty years. The measures include:
The changes will start to be introduced from April this year. The Written Ministerial Statement can be found on the DfT website at: http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/speechesstatements/statements/baker20110214
The Press Notice, at: http://nds.coi.gov.uk/clientmicrosite/Content/Detail.aspx?ClientId=202&NewsAreaId=2&ReleaseID=417973&SubjectId=36
Also published on the website today, are the responses to the DfT’s 2010 consultation: http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/closed/2010-20/ or http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/closed/2010-20/bluebadgeresponse.pdf
The Department received 225 responses and we thank those who responded. You might also be interested in a new Blue Badge Newsletter published today at: http://www.dft.gov.uk/transportforyou/access/bluebadge/reform/newsletters/
We have published ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ and a summary of reforms, at: http://www.dft.gov.uk/transportforyou/access/bluebadge/reform/
Yours sincerely,
The Blue Badge Team
Department for Transport
Mental Health Strategy to Invest in Therapies for Children and Early Intervention
The expansion of psychological therapies for children and young people and an emphasis on early intervention and prevention define the coalition government's mental health strategy published on 2nd February.
Click here to read more
Every Disabled Child Matters
Today, EDCM have launched a new action asking it's supporters to email their Local Authority to ask how much money they're allocating for disabled children's services in 2011/12.
Following today's media coverage of Riven Vincent and disabled children's services, it's really important the action is circulated as much as possible, so real pressure is put on local authorities. Please circulate to your networks and put in any e-bulletins or notices, and take action yourself if you would like to!
Please find below a link to the action and template text to go alongside. If you need anything else, please do let me know.
Following successful campaigning by EDCM supporters, the Government announced that they will be giving local authorities £800million over four years to fund short breaks for disabled children.
However, this money is not 'ring fenced' - which means that it is just a guideline and local authorities don't have to spend the full amount on short breaks. In reality, local authorities will only spend their allocation of this money on short breaks if they believe that there is a local need. It is essential that you let your local authority know how important it is to invest in disabled children's services in your area. This has been highlighted by the case of Mumsnetter Riven Vincent, which shows how important it is to let your local authority know how vital services for disabled children and their families are.
Email your Local Authority to ask how much money they're allocating for disabled children's services in 2011/12
For latest news on cuts to services for disabled children in Bolton, and other latest news, please see:
www.bolton.gov.uk and search 'council news'
BACPAC holds its first ever conference!
BACPAC held its first ever conference for parents and professionals at the Britannia Hotel on Tuesday 6th July 2010. Over 60 people attended and enjoyed the chance to learn more out how other areas have succeeded in getting parents of disabled children involved in the delivery of services. Delegates were informed on what is happening locally before taking part in workshops exploring how services can improve. In the afternoon the Mayor and Mayoress of Bolton were in attendance, and shared their own family’s experience of supporting a disabled child.
It is hoped that as a result of the conference, more parents will become active in supporting BACPAC and more services will involve BACPAC in the delivery and improvement of their services. See photos - click here
BACPAC Family Disco - photos