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
Consultation on draft eligibility criteria
Comments are invited from all interested stakeholders on the draft eligibility criteria used to determine access to some specialist children's social care services. The draft eligibility criteria and consultation response questionnaire can be accessed below. The closing date for this consultation is 12 June 2009.