Special Needs and Disabilities

In accordance with the Children Act, all disabled children are children in need.  The Act defines a category of children in need for whom Children's Services should provide services, if necessary, to safeguard and promote their welfare. A child is defined by the Act as being in need if:

• he/she is unlikely to achieve or maintain, or to have the opportunity of achieving or maintaining, a reasonable standard of health or development without the provision for him/her of services by a local authority under this part [of the Act];
• his/her health or development is likely to be significantly impaired, or further impaired, without the provision for him/her of such services; or
• he/she is disabled

NB. "development" means physical, intellectual, emotional, social or behavioural development and "health" means physical or mental health - (From Children Act, Guidance and Regulations, Vol. 6, p5-6)

The following help and advice is available for children with special needs:

• Pinpoint - guide to Hampshire services for children with special needs. Download pinpoint brochure  2mb - (Search this document by using Edit and Find)

• Disabilities and Aiming High for Disabled Children
• Equipment for the home
• Special educational needs (SEN)
• Special schools
• Language
• Respite care(ShortBreaks)
• Assistance with transport of children with special needs
• The Disabled Living Foundation (DLF)-for parents, carers and healthcare professionals