Investing in services for children with disabilities

Friday, 01 February 2013

Activity schemes, play sessions, respite breaks and supported youth clubs for children and young people with disabilities look set to benefit from a cash boost to the tune of just under £2.5million.

Councillor Roy Perry, Hampshire County Council's Executive Lead member for Children's Services has approved grants to a wide variety of providers of short breaks, activities and services for children with disabilities.

The grants, totalling just under £1.9million, will enable organisations across the county to develop and continue to provide a wide range of services to meet the needs of Hampshire children and their families.

In addition to the grants Councillor Perry also approved a grant of £139,993 to the Rose Road Association for the Bridging Worker scheme which offers intensive support to enable children and young people with disabilities and additional needs to access an increasing number of mainstream children's activities and services.

Cllr Perry also agreed a grant of £249,989 to Parent Voice, which operates the Parent Voice Information and Participation Service hosted by the Rose Road Association. The service supports families enabling them to access information about activities and support available aimed at increasing participation of families. It will continue to work alongside the Hampshire Parent/Carer Network enabling parents to help shape services and to further widen access and develop parent/carer participation across all of the Council's activities that support disabled children and those with additional needs.

The grant funding is subject to the approval of the 2013/14 budget by the Council on 21 February.

Cllr Perry said: "I want all children in Hampshire to be able to participate as fully as possible in a range of recreational and developmental experiences. I know how important these services are to families who have children with disabilities and additional needs. They are busy juggling the demands of family life and the extra support that their children need so easy access to information provided by Parent Voice and the Bridging Workers from the Rose Road Association as well as that provided by our staff is vital.

"The activities schemes across the county ensure that their children have a range of recreational activities to take part in while at the same time provide parents with a welcome break. I am pleased to approve this funding subject to Council approval of the budget.

"In awarding funding this way the County Council can support the voluntary sector to enable organisations to continue to develop their services to meet the needs of children and their families while at the same time achieving value for money for Hampshire council tax payers."

Around 3,600 children with disabilities and additional needs are supported by Hampshire County Council through the Short Breaks services.

• Short Breaks for Disabled Children - Grant Awards 2013-14

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