Parents Forum Newssheet

Issue 7 - August 2007

Parents Forum

Temporary funding has been finally secured for the Parents Forum. The interim arrangements mean that DAD will continue to support and administer the forum to the end of March 2008. Senior managers within Childrens Services recognise the value of the group and the need for it to continue, and we are hopeful that more secure funding will be available once the new Childrens Trust arrangements are in place.

Chris will be organising and circulating a programme of meetings for the next six months. If you have any suggestions to make for speakers or topics please contact Chris on 01325 489999 or email: chris@darlingtondisability.org

SEN/Learning Disability Transitions Group

This new group has now met on 2 occasions and the Parents Forum is represented on this group.

Please contact Chris for information on the meetings so far.

Your opinions/thoughts etc are needed to ensure that the group gets the process right.

If, after reading the information you feel you would like to make any comments then please contact Chris on 01325 489999 or Email: chris@darlingtondisability.org

We need your views!

Drop In Support Group

This support group takes place at Skerne Park Childrens Centre but is for all children with additional needs and their families.

It takes place from 3.30 - 4.30pm on the following dates:

Thursday 6th September 2007

Thursday 4th October 2007

Thursday 1st November 2007

Thursday 29thNovember 2007

Thursday 13th December 2007

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

Speech and Language Therapy Update

There have now been two meetings, organised by DAD, where the concerns were raised with the Primary Care Trust (PCT) about the level of provision not being met.

It has been agreed that there will be a mapping exercise to identify the current level of need in order to identify the shortfall in provision.

It seems that things are progressing well and if you have any queries then please do not hesitate to contact Chris on 01325 489999.

Autism Conference

County Durham Autistic Support Group (CDASG) is holding a conference in Darlington at the Education Village on Saturday 6th October from 9.00am - 4.15pm.

There are a number of speakers including:

• Liz Ann Davidson, Occupational Therapy Clinical Specialist - Sensory issues and differences in children with ASD.

• Lynne Moxon, Chartered Psychologist - Do people with Autism Spectrum Conditions think differently? Theory of Mind, Executive Functioning, Emotional Understanding and Paranoia in Autism

• Chris Mitchell - Frozen in Time - A personal journey with Asperger's Syndrome

For further information or to book a place please contact CDASG on 01388 819880 or visit the website www.cdasg.org.uk

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 Pauline Gill to book your session.

Produced by Darlington Association on Disability

Registered Charity No. 518265

Tel: 01325 489999