Special Needs Educational Links

 

Information and Special Needs Educational Links

 

Contact a Family - Contact a Family is a national organisation providing support, advice and information for families with disabled children. It has developed a web site www.makingcontact.org to enable families with disabled children to get in touch with each other over the Web, and across the world. Parents and family members visiting the site can see immediately if other families affected by the same condition are registered, and can register their own details for free. Initially, all details are kept confidential, with emails routed through the site, until eventually families choose to correspond directly or not to continue. MakingContact.org has over 5000 members.

A token fee of £5 per annum is charged once families start to correspond – partly to deter nuisance users, and partly to stop children registering as discussions are not monitored. Adults wishing to discuss their own disability can also register on the site.

 

Jackie blog - This is all about Tilly and her family. Tilly has Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a genetic condition which means all her muscles are very weak

Every Disabled Child Matters - Getting rights and justice for every disabled child.

National Autistic Society - The National Autistic Society champions the rights and interests of all people with autism and aim to provide individuals with autism and their families with help, support and services that they can access, trust and rely upon and which can make a positive difference to their lives.

Netmums - Netmums is a family of local websites set up and run by mums (hence the name, but of course dads and anyone involved in caring for young children are welcome too!). The uniqueness of the Netmums concept stems from the belief that only other local mothers can truly access and provide the local information essential to life as a mum to young children in each specific area. Each local Netmums website covers local information on places to go, things to do, education, childcare, and community, social and employment issues.

Each site is set up around a local community and is totally interactive with much of the inform! Action on the site coming from other local mums. At the heart of the site is the coffeehouse, which provides an invaluable place members can chat with other mums and get support and advice on anything and everything to do with being a parent, from little gripes to big issues.

North Staffordshire Asperger/Austism Association – “To provide support, help and advice to ASD individuals, parents and carers.”

Staffordshire Children with Disabilities services - We work with children, young people, their families, schools and other partners to assess and meet the social and developmental requirements of disabled children and young people.

Young Minds - Young People and Mental Health.

Mencap - Mencap is the leading UK charity for people with a learning disability and their families.

Down's Syndrome Assosiation - Helping people with Down's syndrome to live full and rewarding lives

British Dyslexia - Our vision is that of a dyslexia friendly society that enables dyslexic people to reach their potential.

Staffordshire Children's Trust - Brings together all services for children and young people in the County to focus on improving outcomes for all children and young people.

Community & Learning Partnership -(C&LP) - combines, integrates & developes new & existing services that support 0-19 year olds & their families. The initial function of the C&LP is to ensure the core offer of children's centres & extended schools is met, including statutory & voluntary agencies.

Leek Community & Learning Partnership -(C&LP) - combines, integrates & developes new & existing services that support 0-19 year olds & their families across Leek. The initial function of the C&LP is to ensure the core offer of children's centres & extended schools is met, including statutory & voluntary agencies.

Support & Services

 

Early Support - Early Support is for families with a child with special or additional needs under the age of five, and anyone who works with the child.

 

Home Start - Home Start is a national voluntary organisation that offers support, friendship and practical help to young families experiencing stress and/or difficulties. The family must have at least one child under 5 years of age. Support is given by trained home visiting volunteers, all of whom are parents themselves, or have parenting experience, are referenced and CRB cleared to the enhanced level. The volunteer visits are for around 2 – 3 hours once a week.

The kind of support given differs from family to family, but may include help with new born twins, support for families who may have suffered an illness or bereavement, emotional support, support and company for someone who may be new to the area etc. Every family is different and so is the support that Home Start offers them.

Home Start Staffordshire Moorlands has been established in the area for 10 years and works within the Moorland’s towns of Leek, Cheadle and Biddulph and surrounding areas. It has a team of 55 volunteers and last year supported 93 families in the area.

To find out more about Home Start Staffordshire Moorlands, call in at 43 Bath Street, Leek, ST13 6JQ, telephone 01538 387321, or email homestartsm@tiscali.co.uk

 

Staffordshire Parent Partnership - Staffordshire Parent Partnership provides information and support to parents and carers of children with special educational needs on any matters relating to a child's education.

They are a free, impartial and confidential service for parents and carers. Helpline number: 01785 356921, email: spps@staffordshire.gov.uk

 

Face to Face - Face to Face is a service which provides Emotional support to Parents and their families.

Portage - Portage is a home-visiting educational service for pre-school children with additional support needs and their families.

Cauldwell Children - Caudwell Children transforms the lives of sick and disabled children, supporting children aged 0- 18. Providing equipment for disabled children, funding for life saving surgeries and life changing treatments, innovative and pioneering therapy programmes’ and organizing holidays for children fighting life threatening illnesses with their families.

North Staffs Carers - “Our ultimate aim is to provide a range of support services to Carers that becomes the benchmark for other Carers Associations to strive for.”

Crossroads - Caring for carers.

Special Kids in the UK - is a charity for families who have a child of any age with special needs.

Financial

 

Disability Solutions - Disability Solutions believes that “Empowering disabled people, their families and relevant professionals to attain the highest quality of life possible through information, advice and support” will bring about positive change.

The Rowan Organisation - The Rowan Organisation is an organisation of disabled people which has provided services to disabled people for over twenty five years. “We are committed to the empowerment of disabled people by supporting them to overcome the barriers, both physical and attitudinal, which prevent them from achieving their objectives, or which limit their choice and prevent them from being in control of their own lives. We do this by providing access to appropriate information, resources and support in order to increase their opportunities for independence and enable them to make informed choices about their future.”

The Family Fund Trust- The Family Fund helps families with severely disabled children to have choices and the opportunity to enjoy ordinary life.

We give grants for things that make life easier and more enjoyable for the disabled child and their family, such as washing machines, driving lessons, hospital visiting costs, computers and holidays.

 

Disability Living Allowance - Disability Living Allowance - sometimes referred to as DLA - is a tax-free benefit for children and adults who need help with personal care or have walking difficulties because they are physically or mentally disabled.

Carer’s Allowance - Carer's Allowance is a taxable benefit to help people who look after someone who is disabled. You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person that you care for.

Whizz-Kidz - Whizz-Kidz is a charity that is all about giving disabled children the chance to lead a more independent life. Our service meets their individual mobility needs and ensures they get the right mobility equipment, advice and training at the right time.

Play and Activities

 

Cheadle Toy Library - In conjunction with Leek Day Nursery & Cheadle Community Learning Partnership - Every Tuesday 1.45pm to 3.15pm.

The toy library offers a a stay and play session during term time. During school holidays we remain open to hire and return toys.

There will be a variety of toys for your child to enjoy all the areas of development and sensory equipment for children with additional needs. Plus, a creative activity will be offered each session. Carers and children also enjoy a healthly snack and refreshments. We stock toys and equipment from birth to 10 years.

So come along for a "coffee and a chat" whilst your child or childrens plays.

Address: Cheadle Primary School, The Avenue, Cheadle, ST10 1EN. Any queries, please contact Sue or Ursula on 01538 385687.

Rudyard Sailability - Rudyard Sailability is a registered charity dedicated to providing sailing experiences to all those who live with disability.  The Club can cater for any type of disability and family, friends and carers will also be warmly welcomed to take part in this liberating activity.  No experience is necessary, as training is provided, with willing volunteers  on hand to support your visit.  Rudyard Sailability's fleet is specially designed to meet your needs, with non-capsizable dinghies, electronic controls, specialised seating, and a 'roll-on' safety-boat.  There will be a opportunity to explore the Lake for everyone.  Buoyancy aids, life-jackets, radios, waterproof gear, slings and a hoist are all provided, you need only bring along the desire to take up a new challenge!  Taster sessions are free, with membership fees starting at just £15 per year, but the setting of this Club is at the Dam Head of Rudyard Lake where the views are priceless. Come and see for yourself!  We can't do it without you!

North Staffs Adventure Playground - We created to provide a new and exciting world for children, young people and adults with special needs as well as their schools, groups and families.

JJ Sensory Play - JJ's Sensory Play Centre is a unique, soft padded multi-sensory environment for all children, young people and adults. The equipment is designed primarily for those with special needs.

Scropton Riding - Scropton Riding & Driving Centre welcomes riders & drivers of all standards, abilities and ages. Our excellent facilities, experienced staff and friendly atmosphere cater for riders and drivers from beginners to advance.

The Centre is the home of Scropton Riding for the Disabled, providing safe & enjoyable riding and driving activities for a wide range of abilities.

Stafforshire Moorlands Children's Centre - The aim of Staffordshire Moorlands Children's Centre is to 'provide high quality inclusive childcare and early learning, health and family support services.' Bringing together services at neighbourhood level, supporting parents/carers, both in their parenting and in their aspirations towards employment.

Peter Pan Nursery – The Peter Pan Nursery is unique within North Staffordshire, offering valuable help and support to all parents having children with special needs from birth to 5 years of age.

Please note that Special Matters is not responsible for the content of any external web site.