Services to disabled children and their families in Bury are provided from several different places:
- The children's disability team based at the Seedfield centre provides an assessment and care management service for children who have a permanent and substantial disability or a life-limiting illness. The legislative framework for the team is the Children Act, but work is also undertaken under The Disabled Person's Act and the Carers Act.
- The area-based advice and assessment teams carry out initial assessments, and pass on to the children's disability team if the eligibility criteria is met. If not, then the children and families teams will work with families to meet their assessed needs.
- The Re:d Centre, based at Morley Street is a community resource centre for disabled children and their families. This is run by NCH (a national charity) in partnership with Hurdles (a local charity), the Local Authority and West Pennine Housing Association, who owns the building. This is a purpose-built centre, which offers inclusive family support services.
The children's disability team aim to maximise support to families in their homes, thereby minimising the harmful process of children having to live away from their families. This is not always possible however and the Team provide services to children and families who experience family breakdown. This includes work with children on care orders and those accommodated by the local authority.
The children's disability team work with health and education to assess the support that children and families need. Examples of services provided are respite care, behavior management, advice and support, counseling, etc.
The register of children with disabilities
Work is currently taking place to create a register of children with disabilities, which will be available to health, social care and education for planning purposes and for the dissemination of information. The register will be targeted on children's environments and the support that they need to fulfil their potential.
Commissioning Strategy - Short Break opportunities 2006-2009
Meaningful Short Break Opportunities For Disabled Children, Young People and their Families - Implementation Plan 2006-2009 (46kb, 8 page pdf)
Further information/contact details.
Children's Disability Team:
Seedfield Resource Centre,
Parkinson Street,
Bury.
Telephone: 0161 253 5957
