Update on policy and practice developments for disabled children, young people and their families in Wales – a Children in Wales event

Policy and practice supporting disabled children young people and their families in Wales across the age range is constantly evolving. This seminar will give you the opportunity to find out how policy is being put into practice in South Wales and will feature the following presentations:

The Early Support Programme

This is a mechanism to improve the quality, consistency and coordination of services for disabled children under the age of five and their families. Children in Wales coordinated Welsh Government contract to deliver Early Support in Wales from April 2010 until March 2013.

Caerphilly County Borough Council have introduced ISCAN – the Integrated Service for Children with Additional Needs a multiagency service where professionals from health, education, children’s services and voluntary agencies work together to provide a service for children and families with additional needs.

Beverly Lane, ISCAN Project Manager and Jane Yendle-Davies, a parent will talk about the development of the project and its implementation.

Statutory Reform and the Individual Development Plan

The Welsh Government are planning to replace the statutory framework for the assessment and planning of provision for children and young people with SEN with a simpler, more person centred and integrated system for children and young people with additional needs (AN). Central to the proposals of Statutory Reform is the development of an Individual Development Plan (IDP) for each child which is proposed to replace the existing statements of SEN.

Torfaen County Borough Council have been involved with the development of the Individual Development Plan – a web based tool that facilitates multi agency working and supports the integrated planning and assessment process.

Jayne Dunn, Project Manager – Future of Statements will give a presentation of the developments so far.

Transition to Adulthood for Disabled Young People

Transition to adulthood can be a difficult time for any young person. Disabled young people and those with complex needs, may face additional challenges in coping with multiple changes in the services they rely on. Transition key working aims to provide a named person to work with the young person and, where appropriate, his or her family to help prepare for, and successfully move through transition.

Monmouthshire County Borough Council have been involved with the provision of the transition key working for many years and have supported many young disabled people and their families through the process.

Mike Logan – Transition Cooperative Lead for Monmouthshire County Council will give a presentation on what has been achieved so far.

Participation for Young Disabled People

Ensuring the voice of the disabled child/young disabled person is heard can be challenging for professionals. ‘Together 4 Rights’ (formerly known as the ‘Young Disabled Person’s Network’) is an all-Wales group of young disabled people aged 11-19, facilitated by Children in Wales. The purpose of the group is to bring young disabled people from across Wales together to meet new people, learn about their rights, improve their self-confidence, learn new skills and ensure their voice as young disabled people is heard.

Andrea Storer – Coordinator of the Young Disabled Person’s Network will give an overview of the networks activities in the last few years and will be supported in this by young disabled people who are members of the Network.

Extra Bits

As well as listening to the above presentations, each of which will be followed by a question and answer session, an opportunity will be provided for an information exchange, which is your opportunity to share any news from your organisation with those present. This can include celebrating a success or highlighting a barrier or just talking generally about an issue relevant to disabled children and their families. This day is for you – make it yours!

COST:

Members: £55                     Non-members: £75

Please email