SENDIAS Information Advice and Support Services

Free confidential, impartial information, advice and support for parents and young children up to the age of 25 about Special Educational Needs and Disabilities including the Law on SEND health and social care, personal budgets, post 16 and preparing for adulthood, resolving disagreements, exclusions and part time timetables at school, face to face support and advice and supporting at school meetings.

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Local Offer

Information website for young people with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities, and their families, including information on:

  • Education
  • Health
  • Preparing for independence
  • Early years and childcare
  • Support services
  • Local activities and groups

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Derbyshire Directory

Information of what’s on with details of more than 3,000 not for profit groups. Clubs, charities and voluntary organisations covering Derbyshire.

Find out more: www.derbyshire.gov.uk/community/derbyshire_directory

Call Derbyshire

Derbyshire County Council Helpline for access to any County Council service, including children and adults social care services for disable children, young people and young adults. Open 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday and between 9.30am and 4pm on Saturdays.

  • Telephone 01629 533190
  • Text: 86555
  • Fax: 01629 533295
  • Minicom: 01629 533240

For emergency out-of-hours countywide social care support contact 01629 532600

Derbyshire Autism Services (D.A.S)

Information, support and activities for disabled children, young people and adults affected by autism living anywhere in Derbyshire.

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Fairplay

Chesterfield based, offering care, activities and support for disabled children and young people across the North of Derbyshire.

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Aspire

Buxton based care and support service for disabled children and young adults from 0-25 years.

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Fun-ability Derby

Specialist clubs, individual support in the community and programmes of activities in every holiday for disabled children and young people age 3-18 years.

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Disability Direct Derby

Information and advice centre to facilitate independent living for disabled people.

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Care Quality Commission (CQC)

Independent regulator of health and social care in England who monitor, inspect and regulate services to make sure they meet fundamental standards of quality and safety. In our most recent inspection Umbrella services were found to be good in all areas with no recommended actions for improvement.

Find out more: www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-1707584987

Ofsted

The Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (OFSTED) inspect and regulate services that care for children and young people, and services providing education and skills for learners of all ages. Umbrella is registered with Ofsted, but there are no recent inspection of our services.

Find out more: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

Lighthouse

The Light House is a purpose built environment for disabled children and the staff who work with them, providing respite care for disabled children and an office base for the Integrated Disabled Children’s Service (IDCS), which provides community support for children with a moderate or service learning disability or life limiting condition.

Find out more: www.derby.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/disabilities/disabled-children-and-young-people-the-lighthouse/

Safeguarding

Click on the policy name to open/download.

Safeguarding Policy and Procedure Jan 2023

If you are worried about a child you should report it.  If you believe that a child is at immediate risk and in need of protection then you should call the police on 101 immediately. You may want to discuss your concerns with a Social Care worker…

  • For Derby City telephone 01332 641172 during normal working days between 9am and 5pm.
  • Derbyshire contact Call Derbyshire on 01629 533190

Contact a Family

National telephone helpline providing information and advice on any aspect of caring for a disabled child.

Find out more:

  • www.cafamily.org.uk
  • Tel: 0808 808 3555 (9.30am-5pm, Monday-Friday; free from UK landlines and UK mobiles.)

Parent Forums

There are parent forums in most Local Authorities. When the Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice was launched in 2014, it included the need for Local Authorities to work with Parent Carer Forum. Parent forums work together to effect local and national service improvement through participation and co production with parent carers.

Each Parent Carer Forum includes parent carers with a full range of experiences in Health, Education and Social Care as their children have a wide range of conditions. Over 77,000 parents/carers are involved with their local and national parent forums: they contribute to local, regional and national consultations.

Parent forums continue to develop closer working relationships with local authorities and health authorities at all levels, including local working with Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs).

Grants

Family Fund: www.familyfund.org.uk

Caudwell Trust: www.caudwellchildren.com

Butterfly Wishes: www.butterflywishesnetwork.co.uk – The Butterfly Wishes Network is a not-for-profit organisation made up of UK-based professional photographers who would like to offer their services free of charge to families of children with life-shortening conditions. There Mission is to find a photographer who will donate their time and services to those who need us most. These photographers will provide a free session and a minimum of 10 digital images for the family to have, license free.

The Dickie Bird Foundation: thedickiebirdfoundation.co.uk – Grants for Sports Equipments The vision of the Foundation is to assist young people under 16 years of age to participate, to the best of their ability, in the sport of their choice irrespective of their social circumstances, culture or ethnicity and to ensure that, in doing so, they improve their chances both inside and outside sport. Grants are payable to disadvantaged children aged under 16 for essential sports equipment. Travel or coaching are not payable.

Activities

Lea Green Activity Centre:

  • Active Ability Session – inclusive activities for children, young adults and adults with disabilities and additional needs – a great opportunity to make new friends and try something new! With experienced, supportive staff and an exciting team environment, activities can include climbing, accessible buggies, archery and den building. http://leagreen.derbyshire-outdoors.org/activ-ability
  • SEND Soft Play Session – delivering dedicated soft play sessions which allow groups of children and adults with additional needs to be able to explore our accessible and inclusive soft play area, see website for dates and times http://leagreen.derbyshire-outdoors.org/activities-courses/soft-play-sessions

Mount Cook Adventure Centre

Mount Cook Adventure Centre is a not-for-profit organisation founded by outdoor enthusiasts Colin Adams and Robin Sibson. Our Centre opened in July 2016, and is based on the outskirts of the Peak District National Park in Middleton-by-Wirksworth. There mission is to provide access to the outdoors and outdoor activities for all, especially young people and those who would not otherwise have the opportunity. We are committed to providing exciting experiences which promote learning, personal development and an appreciation for the outdoors! www.mountcook.org/events

Play and Recycle Centre Derby

A registered charity whose main purpose is to promote and facilitate the recycling and reuse of non-toxic scrap materials to reduce the amount of waste going into landfill. The Centre gives people access to these low cost materials which they and their children can use in art and play projects to develop their skills in communication, cooperation and creativity. They have a good supply of paints, papers and material, that can be turned into anything you can imagine Family membership is £10 per year, with your first Trolley fully Free and then £4.00 per trolley for unlimited visits. www.derbyplayandrecyclingcentre.org

My Maxcard

The Max Card is designed to make days out more financially accessible for foster families and families of children with additional needs. They believe in creating memories. With the help of supporting local authorities and venues, we aim to bring families closer together through fun and enjoyable days out. Max cards are available from Umbrella for £3.00 Call 01332 785658 for your . See website for list of local places to use the card, but don’t forget to search places you are visit too! www.mymaxcard.co.uk

Little Swimmers

Little Swimmers is a great night out. Aimed at Children and young Adults with Autism and learning difficulties, their families and friends.https://en-gb.facebook.com/Little-Swimmers-Autism-group-Watermeadows-Mansfield-1375803672695273

Long Eaton Arts Room

A voluntary organisation that believes anyone can benefit from the therapeutic qualities of art & craft making. We were established in April 2006 by a group of enthusiastic creative people for the general public to use as a meeting place where they can relax, have fun making things and learn at their own pace. Along with our open studio sessions here at the art-room, we do a lot of community workshops – our focus is to provide services accessible to all, including working with disadvantaged people to help them play a fuller role in the community. www.longeatonartroom.co.uk

Information

Personal Health Budgets

A personal health budget is an amount of money to support your health and wellbeing needs, which is planned and agreed between you (or someone who represents you), and your local NHS team. It is not new money, but it may mean spending money differently so that you can get the care that you need. A personal health budget allows you to manage your healthcare and support such as treatments, equipment and personal care, in a way that suits you http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/patient-choice/personal-health-budget/Pages/about-phb.aspx

Council for Disabled children

Free SEND Law Online Book – Disabled children: a legal handbook is an authoritative yet accessible guide to the legal rights of disabled children and their families in England and Wales. The authors expertly navigate the many, often overlapping, sources of law, explaining the difference between what public bodies must do to support disabled children and that which they may do. The handbook aims to empower disabled children and their families through a greater understanding of their rights and entitlements. It is essential reading for the families of disabled children, their advocates and lawyers, voluntary and statutory sector advisers, commissioners, managers and lawyers working for public authorities, education, social and health care professionals, students and academics. https://councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/help-resources/resources/disabled-children-legal-handbook-2nd-edition

Independent Parental Special Education Advice (IPSEA)

A registered charity (number 327691). IPSEA offers free and independent legally based information, advice and support to help get the right education for children and young people with all kinds of special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities.

IPSEA gives advice and support on:

  • Local Authorities’ legal duties to assess and provide for children with special educational needs
  • exclusions of children with special needs/disabilities
  • action/inaction by Local Authorities and/or schools which discriminate against children and young people with disabilities.

www.ipsea.org.uk