Short Breaks
The three main providers of short breaks for children with
special needs in the Bracknell Forest area are the Community
Childminding Service, Larchwood Short Break Unit and the Family Based
Respite Care Scheme, all co-ordinated by the Children’s Resource Panel.
This panel co-ordinates the provision of short breaks for
children, available from Bracknell Forest Social Services and Housing
department. It meets once a month to consider requests for short breaks
and recommends, after consultation, the most appropriate service for
each child.
Community childminders are specialist childminders who have
undergone additional training and can offer a service to children with
special needs within a home environment. This service is funded by the
local authority, and unlike mainstream childminders, is only accessed
through the Children’s Resource Panel.
Unit Manager
Larchwood
10 Portman Close
Bracknell
Larchwood is a short break unit, providing respite care for
children and young people who have a learning disability. A range of
services is offered, including overnight care, weekend activities, and
after school care.
Larchwood also offers a Saturday Club, for children and young
people with learning and/or physical disabilities. There are four
separate groups, two for young children aged 3 to 8 years, with a
physical and/or learning disability, and two further groups for children
aged 8 years and over, who are only physically disabled. The two latter
groups cater for 8 to 12 year olds in one group and 12 to 18 year olds
in the other. The Saturday Club is also accessed via the Resource
Panel.
This is a service which links disabled children, families and
carers with other families and individuals who can provide them with
short breaks on a regular basis. This may be for a few hours, a day or
a weekend or sometimes longer, up to a maximum of four weeks. The
service ranges from spending time with the children in their own home,
taking them out, through to regular weekend stays in the carer’s own
home.
If you feel that your child might benefit from this service,
please feel free to discuss this with a social worker, who will provide
you with more detailed information about accessing the services, and
their costs. If you are not already in contact with a social worker,
please contact the Duty Assessment and Referral Team. See entry in Social Services and Housing section.
Konnections Respite Club
K2 at The Kerith Centre
See entry for Kerith Konnections in Local Support section.
This club meets twice monthly on Saturdays from 10am to 3pm,
for up to 15 children with special needs aged between 3 and 11 years. A
place at the club will be offered once a month. For further details and
an appointment to view the project please contact Catriona Mitchell at
The Kerith Centre.
Holiday Respite Club
K2 at The Kerith Centre
See entry for Kerith Konnections in Local Support section.
Aiming High for Disabled Children is a new plan from the Government to help disabled children and
their families get the support and chances they need to live ordinary family lives. From 2008
to 2011 there will be more money for disabled children, young people and family services. This
is what some of the money will be used for (figures are national):
1. £370 million for short breaks.
2. £35 million for childcare.
3. £19 million for transition support.
4. £5 million for parent forums.
Contact Family Resource Centre UK to be put on the DISC mailing
list as local updates will come through this channel.
|
