Children and Young People Service (ChYPS) Newsletter

Issue No. 4

Winter 2008

Christmas Wishes.

We would like to wish all of our children, young people, parents, carers, volunteers, staff and partners a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Paying for childcare

Working tax credit (WTC) is a benefit for working families paid by HM Revenue and Customs. The amount you get depends on your income and family circumstances, including whether you have a disabled child.

The childcare element of WTC is available if you're a lone parent working 16 hours a week or more, if both parents work 16 hours a week or more, or if one parent works 16 hours a week or more and the other is incapacitated, or in hospital or prison. In these instances you can include 80% of your childcare costs up to £175 a week for one child or £300 a week for more than one child in your claim for Working Tax Credit (WTC). In practice this means you could receive up to £140 for one child or £240 for two or more children.

This amount is the same for disabled and non-disabled children, but for disabled children you can claim until the end of the week including 1st September following their 16th birthday (15th birthday for non-disabled children).

The childcare must be registered or approved. For more information contact HM Revenue and Customers Credit Helpline on Tel 0845 300 3900 or visit www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/disabilities.htm

A useful source of information for working families is the organisation Working Families which has created a ‘Waving not drowning’ project for parents of disabled children. It provides a network, a newsletter and a dedicated helpline on 020 7253 7243 . The helpline is open on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9.30am - 1.00pm and 2.00pm - 4.30pm. For free advice on Tax Credits, flexible working and rights at work parents can also call our free helpline on 0800 013 0313 which is open Monday to Friday.

DAD awarded ‘Disability Charity of the Year’

We are delighted to announce that DAD was awarded ‘Disability Charity of the Year’ at the 2008 County Durham and Tees Valley Charity awards. The person nominating DAD commented on the wide ranging work that we do, and the way that we successfully reach so many people. Lauren Robinson, DAD Chief Executive, was not given the opportunity when she went up to collect the very fetching glass award to say anything, but in true Hollywood acceptance speech style, what she had planned to say was something like "We would not be able to do any of this without the tireless efforts of our volunteers and staff, so thanks to each and every one of you for your hard work" - complete with tears in her eyes!

Volunteers - we need you!

Our playschemes rely heavily on the fantastic support we get from volunteers every year. Do you know someone who is 16 years or over? Can you give DASH a day or more of your school/college/university holiday break? Do you have the enthusiasm, commitment and motivation to support disabled and non-disabled children in an inclusive play environment? If you can then we want to hear from you.

You will need to complete an application form, provide references, undertake a CRB check, and be willing to take part in training. In return you will receive excellent training, the chance to make a difference and the opportunity to meet new friends. If you can spare between 1 or more days over the holiday periods then get in touch. Please contact Donna Gibson, Volunteer Co-ordinator on 01325 489999 or email donna@darlingtondisability.org for an application pack.

DASH playscheme volunteer wins Volunteer of Year Award.

We are delighted to announce that DASH volunteer Abby Atkinson won this years annual Darlington ‘Volunteer of the Year’ awards organised by Evolution. In addition DAD volunteers were short listed as a group for three categories, and although we didn't win we are delighted to have been nominated for the awards. Well done to all of our fantastic volunteers.

Fundraising/Funding

Thank you to our fundraisers.

Huge thanks go to our fantastic fundraisers Kim Baird and Ian Gedling who have individually raised money for the DASH playscheme. Kim took part in this year's Great North Walk while Ian took part in the Great North Run! Anyone who wishes to raise money for future DASH schemes are welcome to contact Garry West on 01325 360524.

DASH Shades for Shades Day.

Well done to staff and children from the Buzz Playscheme who raised money for Shades for Shades day 2008. Half the money raised is to be donated to Guide Dogs and the rest will be donated to DASH. A total of £15.05 was raised by children and staff who donated £1 to wear their shades for the day! The scheme is planning on having a further event next summer.

DAD Fundraising Group

DAD has various fundraising opportunities within the organisation. To make sure we make the most out of our fundraising effort we are setting up a fundraising group. Would you like to participate? Do you have any good fundraising ideas? If you would like to get involved please contact Garry on 01325 360524 .

Funds-4-Fun - Apply now for funding for your playsession!

KidsOut is the national charity providing fun and happiness for disadvantaged children and young people. They believe that fun and happiness is an essential part of childhood. They have previously agreed to pay for a number of children and young people to access DASH and other activities that have been organised.

To apply for a KidsOut Funds-4-Fun grant you will need to complete a simple application form. To request a form and discuss your requirements in more detail please ring our confidential helpline on 01525 385232. All calls and applications are treated in the strictest confidence and each application is awarded on its own merit and individual circumstances. The website is www.kidsout.org.uk.

Other news from ChYPS

Bridging Service

The Bridging service continues to provide opportunities for play and leisure of their choice and has so far been very successful in supporting a number of children and young people in Darlington and County Durham.

The bridging service provides support to enable the child or young person to access mainstream services and support is provided in a variety of ways;

• Short term individual one-to-one support to children to enable them overcome personal barriers to play and leisure;

• Support to play and leisure providers to overcome barriers and develop inclusive practice and awareness to supporting disabled children and Young People into their services;

• Provision of training to play and leisure practitioners to raise awareness about inclusion and disability issues and to enable them to work with disabled children and their families more professionally.

• Provision of support, advice and guidance to supporting disabled children in mainstream sessions.

If you would like more information on how the bridging service can support your child into mainstream play and leisure opportunities of their choice, please contact Garry on 01325 360524.

Direct Payments

The Direct Payment Support Service promotes choice and control by supporting anyone who is eligible, including parents of disabled children, to use a Direct Payment to organise their own package of care. This includes a payroll and recruitment service. For more information contact Simon Legg at DAD on 01325 360524 or simon@darlingtondisability.org

Live Darlington Card

Parents of disabled children are entitled to this new card which offers free entry into Leisure or Arts facilities/venues across the Borough when accompanying the person being cared for, and a 25% discount when a carer is using a facility without the person they are caring for. To apply for a card please contact the Dolphin Centre on 01325 388410.

Other news and information

Coleridge Centre Inclusion Group

This drop-in support group takes place at Skerne Park Children's Centre but is for all disabled children and their families. It takes place from 3.30 - 4.30pm on the following dates:

Thursday 27th November 2008

Thursday 12th December 2008

Thursday 29th January 2009

Thursday 26th March 2009

Thursday 30th April 2009

If you require any further information then please contact the Children's Centre on 01325 248020.

New websites

Darlington Borough Council have developed a new website - Clickit - for young people. The website enables young people to find out what is going on in Darlington and includes events and news. www.clicktodo.co.uk

The Council have also developed a website which includes information about all Children's services in Darlington. It has a separate parents ‘zone’ which you can use to search for childcare, play/leisure services, health services etc View Darlington and Young People's Directory

We would be very interested in feedback about either site, particularly in relation to their useful for disabled children and families.

CAB Appointments

Shelagh Blanchard, the Citizen's Advice Bureau's Outreach Worker is once again able to offer you advice on benefits, housing, relationships, debt, and any other life problems.

She will be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment only. Please call DAD on 489999 and ask for Joanna Hodgson to book your session.