Parents Forum Newssheet

Issue 4 - January 2007

Parents Forum Meeting

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 14th February 2007 from 10.00am - 12.00pm in the Seminar Room at the Dolphin Centre.

Kevin Kelly, Senior Practitioner from the Disabled Children's Team will be attending the meeting in order to discuss the role of the ‘Disabled Children's Team’ and consult the Forum with respect to the teams criteria of the service they provide. This new criteria may have an impact on your assessment and access to services or perhaps hours for Direct Payments. Therefore if you are presently receiving a service from the Disabled Children's Team or may require one in the future, this is your opportunity to voice your opinions and ask questions regarding this new criteria.

If you would like to come along to this event then can you please contact Chris to book your place on 01325 489999 or email: chris@darlingtondisability.org . Also, if you know of any other parents with a disabled child who you think may like to come along to this event then please feel free to pass on this information to them and ask them to contact Chris.

It's time to have your say about childcare in Darlington

The Children's Services Department of Darlington Borough Council would like to know your views about childcare (including private day nurseries, playgroups, childminders, breakfast, after school and holiday clubs and crèches) for disabled children and young people (from birth to 19 years old) in Darlington.

They will be issuing a childcare questionnaire via all schools, displaying it on the Darlington Borough Council website and on the Children's Information Service website. The questionnaire will be available in different formats, for example, in large print.

This is your chance to have your say about childcare services you already use or childcare services you would like to use in Darlington. If you do not receive a childcare questionnaire by 2nd March and would like to be consulted, please ring Research Solutions UK Ltd. on (01642) 871222 for a copy of the questionnaire. Questionnaires must be returned to Research Solutions by 12th March.

Kids Out

KidsOut is a National Charity who's aim is to provide funding to enable disadvantaged children and young people to access activities that will be fun and so achieve happiness.

The charity also operates a Funds-4-Fun scheme which provides financial assistance to individuals and families for the purchase of toys, special play equipment, fun days out, UK holidays and activity breaks.

Further information is available on the charities website: www.kidsout.org.uk. or by telephoning: 01525 385232 or 01525 385232

Local parents who have applied were successful and received funding to enable their children to access a summer play scheme and local leisure activities. However, applications are only considered every 2 years.

Drop in Support Group

A new Drop in Support Group for children with additional needs and their families has been created. The group will meet at the Skerne Park Children's Centre, Coleridge Gardens, Darlington, on the 15th February & 29th March with further dates to follow from 3:30 - 4:30 pm in the activity room. Ideas will be welcomed on what activities you would like to see. Judy Gilbert or Judy Lewis would love to hear from you on 01325 248020.

Parents Forum Social Event

The Parents Forum Social Event was held at the new soft play multi-sensory area in the Dolphin Centre. We had exclusive access prior to the official opening to the public. All the children including adults had great fun and Father Christmas had left goodies for each child. For those adults who were not brave enough to go on the ‘death slide’, it was a great opportunity to just sit back and relax with a freebie drink (donated by DAD), in the safe environment which is very well supervised. Some used the opportunity to network and share information.

All in all it was a very successful social event enjoyed by all. Thank you to the Dolphin Centre staff for providing this opportunity.

Produced by Darlington Association on Disability

Registered Charity No. 518265

Tel: 01325 489999