Darlington Useful Contact Information
Darlington Useful Contact Information
Darlington People's Information Point:
Darlington Education Department
Town Hall
Darlington
Town Hall
DL3 5QT
Tel: 01325-380651
Local Authority Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Department,
Social Services
Central House
Gladstone Street
Darlington
DL3 6JX.
Tel: 01325 406884
Social Services
Central House
Gladstone Street
Darlington
DL3 6JX
Tel: 01325-346200
Darlington Association for Disability(DAD)
22 Horse Market
Darlington
DL1 5PT
Tel: 01325 489999
Sure Startsin Darlington:
Click the link for a list of all Sure Start centres in the Darlington area:
Information, Advice and Support Service (IASS)
(Contact for monthly newsletter)
Darlington Libraries:
Darlington Leisure Centre
Dolphin Centre
Horsemarket
Darlington
DL1 5RP
Tel: 01325 388406
Parent Partnership
The National Parent Partnership (NPPN) is funded by the Departmentfor Education (DfE)to:
- Promote the work of parent partnership services;
- Provide a national network for PPS to learn from each other, to share information and to promote best practice;
- Encourage the development of co-operative arrangements with voluntary sector organisations that provide services to parents of children and young people with SEN;
- Promote the development of interesting and innovative practices in the area of SEN.
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
Customer service- help and advice in your local NHS
As a patient, relative or carer, sometimes you may need to turn to someone outside of the clinical team for help or support. This is where PALS can help.
PALS can provide confidential advice and support to help you resolve queries or concerns about your NHS care. PALS can also provide general information about NHS services.
PALS can often resolve queries and concerns quickly and informally by liaising with the relevant staff.If PALS is unable to help, they will support you in finding out who can.
PALS is there to give you support and appropriate assistance to:
- Solve a problem that you are having now
- Let staff in NHS services know when you are satisfied, dissatisfied or concerned about something
- Ask questions on your behalf
- Provide information about health services or explain where you can go for information or help
- Tell you what your options are in relation to your particular situation
Freephone 0800 195 7998 (or Landline 0191 374 4231)
The Family Pack
The Family Pack is for families with a young disabled child who find themselves in contact with many different services. It provides information about how services work and what help and support is available. It enables families, and the professionals and agencies working with them, to coordinate services and share information to assist in joint planning.
The materials work best when they are introduced to a family by someone who works with them, so there is an opportunity to look through the materials and agree how they could be used. Some families use the pack over a number of years - it's flexible enough to be used in many ways at different stages of a child’s life.
What is in the Family Pack?
The Family Pack consists of a set of background information booklets and a Family File. Thepack is available from the departmental publications website.
Family Information Support Pack‘The Family File’ is a simple paper template system, made up of a number of sections. Each section provides a space for families to record information about their child and to share that information with the professionals working with them. It is used by parents and carers in many different ways, and is often taken to appointments and meetings to provide information without families having to repeat themselves. It comes with a 'How to use the Family File' guide which should be read first.
Statutory Assessment
Even with all the action that a school can take, using all the resources available, a small number of children do not make enough progress. If this is the case, the headteacher, a professional or you may decide to ask us to consider a 'statutory assessment' - a detailed investigation of special educational needs.
The school may also request additional resources from us to remove barriers to inclusion. A statutory assessment is necessary for a very small number of children with severe, complex and long term needs, that cannot be met by the school with resources ordinarily available to them.
If the school or other educational setting is considering making a request to us for statutory assessment, they will obtain your agreement first. They will send information with the request, so that it can be decided whether the assessment is necessary.
Tel: 01915873541
Information for Parents Booklet – Behaviour
This booklet is for parents who are worried about their young child’s behaviour. Sometimes parents are unsure if their child’s behaviour is usual for their age or is a sign that they have some kind of additional need or disability.
The booklet has been developed with the help of families and it contains the information that they say it’s useful to know. It was developed by the Early Support programme in partnership with Contact a Family in response to requests from families, professional agencies and voluntary organisations for a better standard of information.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists and the National Autistic Society were also involved in the development. Families were consulted about the content and the text reflects what parents who have ‘been there before’ say they would have liked to have known.
The document includes tips about some of the ways parents can help with their children's behaviour, and information on people and organisations they can approach for more guidance and support.
Includes:
- Introduction
- What is going on?
- How to help your child
- Helping your child with specific problems
- When and where should I seek outside help?
Information for Parents Booklet – Sleep
Getting a good night’s sleep is important for both adults and children. If parents have concerns about their child’s sleeping habits they might find this booklet useful. It was developed by the Early Support programme in partnership with a number of organisations and individuals, including: Scope (Sleep Solutions), Face 2 Face parents groups, and the Handsel Trust.
It was developed in response to requests from families, professional agencies, and voluntary organisations for a better standard of information about sleep issues. Families were consulted about the content and the text reflects what parents who have ‘been there before’ say they would have liked to have known.
The booklet provides information about sleep and its importance, explores how sleep deprivation might affect the whole family, and examines why sleep problems may occur. It also gives ideas to try at home to help children have a better night’s sleep and provides advice on the support and services that can help.
Includes:
- Introduction
- Understanding sleep
- How much sleep?
- What happens if you don’t get a good night’s sleep?
- Why aren’t they getting enough sleep?
- How to help your child have a good night’s sleep
- Financial help
- Who can help?
- Sources of further information
- Useful contacts and organisations
- A final word
- Glossary
Information for Parents Booklet - Neurological Disorders
The term neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) is an umbrella term for any condition that is caused by a dysfunction in part of the brain or nervous system, resulting in physical and/or psychological symptoms as a child develops.
This booklet has been developed with the help of families who have a child with a neurological disorder and contains the information that they say it’s useful to know. It was developed by the Early Support programme in partnership with Cerebra, in response to requests from families, professional agencies and voluntary organisations for a better standard of information. Families were consulted about the content and the text reflects what parents who have ‘been there before’ say they would have liked to have known in the early days of finding out about their child’s situation.
The aim of this booklet is to provide parents with information about the many things they may want to know as a parent of a child with an NDD. It outlines the types and causes of neurodevelopmental disorders, their diagnosis and treatment and the potential therapies available. It also provides information about the issues parents may face in daily life, where they can gain further information and support and provides the perspective of families who have a child with an NDD.
There is a quick reference table at the back of this booklet explaining the causes, symptoms and potential therapies for a range of disorders, with details of support organisations that may be able to offer help and advice.
Includes:
- Introduction
- Symptoms of Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- What causes NDDs?
- Issues around diagnosis
- Therapies
- Managing day-to-day life
- Managing services and accessing support
- A quick reference guide to some neurodevelopmental disorders
- Useful Contacts
Information for parents: Speech and language difficulties
Speech and language difficulties in young children are not unusual. As many as one child in 10 under five years of age experiences some degree of difficulty. This booklet explains how children normally develop communication, language and speech and how adults can help in these processes.
This publication also explains how to set about getting professional help. It also explains about speech and language therapy – what it is, who provides it, how to get it and what to do with it, once you have it.
The document points to ways in which parents can help their child, but also points to support and services that can help. There is an extensive list of support information, which includes websites, telephone numbers and email addresses.
Includes:
- Introduction
- Understanding normal development
- Helping children develop communication,
- language and speech – what normally happens
- Recognising there may be a problem
- Making the most of speech and language therapy
- Multi-disciplinary assessments
- Ongoing difficulty
- Looking ahead – education
- What can go wrong – different types of speech
- and language difficulty
- Speech and language difficulties associated
- with other conditions
- Useful contacts and organisations
- Additional reading
- Other information
Downs Syndrome
Information for Parents – Downs Syndrome
Down syndrome is a genetic condition that results in some level of learning disability and a characteristic range of physical features. Learning disability significantly affects a child’s ability to learn compared with other children of their age.
This publication provides general information about Down syndrome and explains what is known about how the syndrome affects progress in children.
The document points to ways in which parents can help their child, but also points to support and services that can help.
There is an extensive list of support information, which includes websites, telephone numbers and email addresses.
Downs Syndrome Growth Charts for parent held records are available from hospital paediatric departments.
Downs Syndrome developmental journals are available at
Down's Syndrome North East is the leading organisation for the help and support of all people with Down's Syndrome and their families and friends. We cover Northumberland, Tyneside, Wearside, Durham and Teesside.
They are a registered charity run entirely by parent volunteers.
You can contact them by any of the following
DSNE,
PO Box 185,
Newcastle upon Tyne. UK.
NE12 7WP
Telephone0870 765 2121
The education centre for children with Down syndrome (ECCDS) is a charity dedicated to the education and development of children with Down syndrome.
The centre was founded by Maggie Hart a new parent and teacher along with a group of parents, family members, friends, education and health volunteers.
The Centre is committed to helping children and their parents acquire essential skills that will equip them to meet the future with confidence.
They are based in Darlington with an outreach group in Hexham, and welcome children from across the North of England, including the counties of Durham, North Yorkshire, Cleveland, Tyne & Wear, Northumberland & Cumbria.
They run regular classes and other education activities specifically designed for children with Down syndrome.
They aim to empower parents to support their child's development by providing access to training and by sharing information and practical advice.
They keep up to date with the latest research being published, both nationally and internationally and share relevant information with parents and professionals.
They maintain a library of books and DVDs for use by parents and family.
They value children for who they are, whatever their disability, race, gender, social class or religion. Our mission is to enhance the education and development of children with Down syndrome by providing early intervention and enabling programmes which target their individual learning profiles. The Centre's activities reflect sound education practices which have been developed as a result of academic researched based outcomes. These services are delivered in a manner which acknowledges the uniqueness of the child and their right to be treated with dignity and respect.
Groups
Pre-school and KS1 and KS2 sessions on Friday and Saturday term time in Mount Pleasant Children's Centre in Darlington and pre-school sessions in Hexham on Thursdays.
About the groups
- Small-group activities designed to promote the social, motor, cognitive and language development of children with Down syndrome.
- Individual advice for parents on activities to promote their child's development.
- Advice and support for parents and other family members by the Centre's staff, and informal support from other parents and families.
How the groups work
- Small groups, no more than 5-6 children in a group with one teacher.
- Parents stay with their child and learn alongside their child.
- Sessions last 1.30 – 2 hours depending on the age group.
What is encouraged in the groups
- Signing to enhance communication skills.
- Speech and language skills.
- Numeracy development.
- Age-appropriate behaviour.
- High expectations of the children.
- Lots of positive praise in an "errorless" environment.
Contact Maggie Hart (Chief Executive): 07806707465 or Marie Etherington (Office Manager): 07581114018, with details of your child's name and age.
Darlington sessions are held at Mount Pleasant Children's Centre, Newton Lane, Darlington, DL3 9HE and Hexham sessions in Hexham Children's Centre Beaufront Avenue, Hexham Northumberland NE46 1JD.
Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Information for parents: Autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs) and related conditions. This booklet was developed by the Early Support programme in partnership with the National Autistic Society and TreeHouse in response to requests from families, professional agencies and voluntary organisations for better standard information. The guidance reflects what parents who have ‘been there before’ say they would have liked to have known in the early days of finding out about their child’s situation.
This guidance has been drawn up with the help of parents of children with autism, to help others understand what autism is and to provide a picture of what parents and others can do to help their child.
The booklet describes the support that is available and answers the questions that many parents have at this time. Extensive contact information for further support, which includes websites and phone numbers, is given throughout the booklet.
Supporting children on the autism spectrum: Guidance for practitioners in the Early Years Foundation Stage
Meeting the individual needs of all children lies at the heart of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Every child deserves the best possible start in life, and support to fulfil their potential. A child’s experience in the early years has a major impact on their future life chances.
All early years providers must have and implement an effective policy for ensuring equality of opportunities and for supporting children with learning difficulties and disabilities. Practitioners should focus on each child’s individual learning, development and care needs to ensure that the children and families with whom they work are fully included.
Providing an inclusive setting that promotes equality of opportunity does not mean that all children should be treated the same, but that the unique skills and abilities of each child should be recognised and developed, and that ‘inclusion is not optional: children have defined entitlements in this area and settings have legal responsibilities’ (EYFS).
North East Autism Society
Are a registered charity with over 30 years of experience of providing autism specific services. They provide a wide – and ever growing – range of services for children, young people and adults who are on the Autism Spectrum.
Today the services include education for children aged 4-19, post 19 education and social/vocational training along with supported and open employment opportunities for adults. We provide year round residential placements and an ever-increasing range of social and leisure opportunities in the East community for people of all ages.
Contact:
Central Services: 0191 410 9974
Thornhill Park School: 0191 514 0659
Adult Services: 0191 510 2038
Thornbeck College: 0191 386 4802