Bath & North East Somerset will ensure that in our local authority by October 2011:
- We know how many disabled children live in our area and all agencies in our area are working together to plan services based on this knowledge.
- We have an identified lead with specific responsibility for services for disabled children and families.
- We are providing clear information to support choice and control for parents that explains how we provide specialist services and also make all universal services accessible.
- Parents and carers in our area have access to transparent information on decisions made about their child, and have access to mechanisms for providing feedback
- Disabled children and their families are involved in the planning, commissioning and monitoring of services in our area, including both specialist and universal services.
- Our Parent Carer Forum is instrumental in developing and reviewing services in our area and promoting choice and control for parents.
- We actively include disabled children and young people in any decisions made about them and the services that they access, that might affect them.
- Parents in our area benefit from our Parent Partnership Service, which is able to provide impartial advice and support to parents of disabled children and young people
- Our staff receive both disability equality training and training to ensure that they have core competencies to work with disabled children.
- We have produced a short break services statement that has been drawn up in partnership with disabled children and their parents and have made it widely available.
- We have regard to the provision of services suitable for disabled children, when assessing the sufficiency and supply of childcare in their area
- We are working together with disabled young people and adult service providers in our area to ensure a smooth transition to adult services for disabled young people preparing for adulthood.
Signed: Councillor Nathan Hartley
Cabinet Member for Early Years, Children & Youth and Deputy Leader of Council
Bath & North East Somerset