There are various ways in which you can find out what services are available. The following are useful starting points:-

1. The Children with Complex Care Needs Team has an advice line. Social workers are available to answer general queries relating to disabled children.
Available: Monday, Thursday & Friday 2pm – 4pm on 01924 379015

2. Social Care Direct deals with all new requests for Social Care Services within the Wakefield District.
Available: Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm; Saturday 8am to 12noon
Tel: 0845 8 503 503
Fax 01924 303455
Email: social_care_direct@wakefield.gov.uk

3. To find out about education services for children/young people with special needs the Parent Partnership have produced an information pack for parents and carers entitled ’Working Together with Special Educational Needs’
To get your copy: Tel: 01924 303662 or
Email: ParentPartnership@wakefield.gov.uk

4. Contact A Family, a national charity provides help and advice for families caring for children with any disability or special need. They aim to link families together and encourage mutual support between parents.

Helpline available 10am until 4pm Monday to Friday 0808 808 3555

When your child is in year 9, the annual review must also result in the drawing up of a transition plan. This is a document that will set out what needs to happen to enable your child to move on successfully to adult life. This plan will be drawn up with help from Social Services and the Connexions Service.

For more information about transition and other educational issues, telephone Parent Partnership Service on 01924 303662 or email parentpartnership@wakefield.gov.uk

Ask for a copy of their information pack.

The main benefit claimed by disabled children is Disability Living Allowance. Payments can amount to up to £100 a week. There are different rates of payment dependent on the degree of the disability. These are based on two ‘components’ - care (can be claimed from 3 months) and mobility (can be claimed from 3 years)

Most young people with a learning difficulty will qualify for this benefit in one form or another depending on the severity of their condition. Claims should be made as soon as possible since payments cannot generally be backdated. Because amounts can differ quite significantly, it is wise to seek advice before claiming.

It is also worth being aware:

• as a carer you may be entitled to benefits in your own right.
• as your child approaches his/her sixteenth birthday, their benefit entitlement may change and it is important to get advice at this time.

It is always best to seek advice regarding benefits as:

• The benefit system is complex and often changes considerably each April
• Everyone’s circumstances are different.

For local, free advice, contact:

Disabled Information Advice Line (DIAL)

Monday – Thursday 9.30am – 4.00pm

Tel: 01977 723933 or 723934 (Please telephone to make an appointment)
Fax: 01977 668662
Email: dialwakefield@tiscali.co.uk

Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)

Wakefield
Tel: 08701 212044 (advice)
Fax: 01924 200837
Tel: 01924 383200 (appointments)
Email: wakefield@wakefielddistrictcab.co.uk

South Elmsall
Tel: 0870 1212044
Email: southelmsall@wakefielddistrictcab.co.uk

Pontefract
Tel: 0870 1212044
Fax: 01977 795098
Email: pontefract@wakefielddistrictcab.co.uk

or look at their website www.adviceguide.org.uk

A number of short break services are available to disabled children and their families.

Connect is a family placement service, offering short breaks in a family setting for disabled children from 0-18 years.

The Home Based Break Service offers short breaks for disabled children/young people aged 0 – 18 years in their own community:-

• Home Support Service: takes place within the child/ young person’s home.
• Leisure Link: provides over 8s with access to sport and leisure activities
• Special Time: a sitting service to allow parents/carers leisure time of their own

Rainbow House is a short stay unit for children with learning disabilities and some kind of challenging behaviour.

Rose Garth is a short stay unit for children with learning disabilities and complex health care needs.

Wasdale Children’s Resource Centreis a short stay unit for disabled children/young people.

Access to all these services is via a referral from a social worker or other professional.

After a social work assessment, all applications for a short break are heard at The Short Breaks Panel. Families are invited to attend the panel so that the most useful service can be identified.

These are available from the Adaptations Assessment Team. Referral is via professionals or you can ring them directly. Services are available to Wakefield District Housing Tenants as well as Home Owners and private tenants.

Adaptations Assessment Team
Queen Row
Queen Street
Wakefield, WF1 1DF

Tel: 01924 304550
Fax: 01924 304544

All specialist equipment has to be ordered from the Integrated Community Equipment Sercvice (ICES) by a paediatric occupational therapist (OT) after an assessment. If you feel that your child could benefit from using an item of specialist equipment, but you are not in contact with an OT then please ring Social Care Direct on 01924 303456

Wakefield and District Young Carers offers services for children and young people up to 18 whose lives are affected by some caring responsibility for a family member with a chronic illness or disability. Services include befriending, counselling, group support, advice, advocacy, outings and holiday programmes.

Contact:

Wakefield and District Young Carers
Westmoreland Centre
8-10 Westmoreland Street
Wakefield WF1 1PJ

Tel: 01924 304110/2

or
Wakefield and District Carers Association
Advice, information and support for carers. An advocacy service and home visits are now available.

25 King Street
Wakefield WF1 2SR

Tel: 01924 305544
Fax: 01924 305348
Email: wakecare@btclick.com

or contact: Social Care Direct : 01924 303456

Direct payments are cash payments given to people to buy there own care as an alternative to care being arranged and provided by Social Services. They are available after an assessment of need. They are available to all people aged 16 years and over and to people who have parental responsibility for disabled children

Direct payments could provide you with a ‘short break’ or support for your child and family at home in a way that you might find more useful.

If you would like to find out more about Direct Payments then:

• Look on the Wakefield Website under Direct Payments
• Contact Social Care Direct on 01924 303456
• Talk to your social worker
• Ring the Children with Disabilities Team Advice Line: 01924 302118 Monday to Friday 2.00pm – 4.00pm

DISPORT (Federation of Disability Sports Organisations) offers a variety of sports based activities and clubs.
Tel: 01924 279302

Duke of Edinburgh Award
Various schemes available. Open to everyone.
Co-ordinator – Mike Wood Tel: 01226 392317

Gateway Clubs
Phoenix Club, Batley Road – Thursdays 7pm to 8.30pm

For information about this Club and others starting in Hemsworth and Castleford Contact Carol White Tel: 01977 611527

Riding for the Disabled

Wakefield Tel: 01924 241341
Ackworth Tel: 01977 795450 or 01977 610637

Want to know about the Council’s sports and leisure facilities?

Tel: 01924 302378

Wakefield Autism Leisure Club
Monday and Wednesday evenings at Thornes Park
Contact Mandy Day Tel: 01924 373159

Wakefield Museums and Arts
To join the free mailing list of activities and workshops, write to:

Wakefield Council,
Museums and Arts
Freepost NEA970
Wakefield, WF1 1BR
Tel: 01924 305902

Youth Clubs
where there is a focus on children/young people with special needs.

The Saturday Club
Cross Keys Youth Centre, Stanley
Tel: 01924 303125

The Open Door
Green Leas School, Green Lane, Pontefract
Tel: 01977 722824