LEARNING TO CHANGE-EDEN
Minutes of the meeting held on 6th May 2010
Present : Hazel Hanley, Sandra Taylor, Emma Short, Dawn Tweedy, Mark &Gill Davis, Becky Eden, Sue Braithwaite, Steve Little, Andrea Willan, Karen Nicholson, Jon Parnaby, Mark McKie, Beverly Pavell, Angela Wilson, Debbie Armstrong
Minutes of the previous meeting:
Jon informed the group that the website for Aiming High is to be re launched.
The group agreed to copy Jon into the minutes of our meeting so that they can be put in the ‘library’ on the website.
There will also be events advertised on the website for children with disabilities. Jenny Taylor is responsible for this so if anyone has any events to advertise please get the information to her.
There will be a calendar of events e.g. steering group meetings/locality group meetings.
Sue has emailed William Doig at Penrith Leisure centre several times. There is going to be a Multiple Activities Session for children with disabilities between 3-30 and 5pm on Wednesdays and possibly a session on Saturdays. He is training up a member of staff to help support children. As yet we have no finalised details for when this will commence. As soon as details are available they will be passed to Jenny Taylor.
Steve stated that he and his family had attended a session at Kendal Leisure centre recently which was very good and that there may be plans in the offing to have someone to do one to one sessions in the pool for children who have additional needs.
It was decided to target Eamont Block again so parents can be informed of the ‘Learning to Change’ process and perhaps come on board. Jenny Taylor would be able to pass this info on to them-Sue agreed to do another leaflet for this.
Karen kindly agreed to pass the information on to families who have younger children.
Angela from Barnardo’s suggested we do a piece for their magazine about ‘Learning to Change’. Sandra will do this. They are in a position to target the younger children coming through who have additional needs.
Sue is still awaiting a reply regarding the issues surrounding school transport in the winter that were raised last time.
It was agreed we should invite Eden Mencap to our next meeting as their constitution does state they support young people. It was agreed that Sue/Sandra will try and arrange a meeting with them to discuss other issues. Hazel will invite them to our September meeting.
ACCESS FUND
This information was given to parents at the last conference. Several issues have since presented around this grant.
The money was being devolved down to schools without families being ‘fully consulted’ as to how the money was to be used. Parents should sign that they are happy about how the money is being used. They are currently trying to close this loophole.
Some schools/head teachers feel they are being used as bankers.
Another big issue is that this grant has an income based criteria and then other criteria such as special needs/looked after children is in the category listed as ‘or any of the following’. Jon said ‘or any of the following’ should not be there and all categories should be listed equally. He is speaking to extended services regarding this.
Jon encouraged parents to keep applying for this grant and not to let schools put parents off.
On a positive note Debbie from Contact a Family said that she was involved with a family who had managed to secure the grant and got horse riding lessons, riding boots and hat with the money.
OAKLEA TRUST
Are providing summer activities.
They are going to provide a youth club facility during term times.
There will be a competition to name the club and produce a logo.
Activities will be led by the children and chosen by the children. Each club will have its own ‘council’ made up of the children who attend.
Clubs will be monitored regularly.
Oaklea have links with the Quondam Drama Group and The Cheeky Monkeys based at Brougham Hall.
Age groups will be 8-13 and 14-19.
Oaklea Trust will have newsletter and send out emails with events taking place.
Service will accept self referral and referrals from professionals.
There will be trips to activities taking place in other areas.
Oaklea are currently recruiting staff in each area but will also be linking up with other existing service providers to provide activities, staff and training.
Consultation with parents regarding activities and services will be paramount.
They are also working with the County Council Sports co-ordinator to help children access sporting activities in the area.
If any individuals are affected by transport difficulties then Beverley requested we let her know.
Details of activities in Half term are to be sent out soon.
Beverley requested we give them regular feedback.
Ian Johnson who is an ex-head teacher with lots of experience of working with children will be the co-ordinator for this area.
All employees will be trained to minimum standards. Regular supervision and bespoke training will be given. Oaklea are looking to build up a ‘bank’ of volunteers. There will be the capacity to bring in new staff if necessary- there is already a Community support team up and running.
They have access to vehicles but will be exploring all options.
Their aim is to involve parents, assess the family as a whole, build up links with schools, community nurses etc.
Website for them is available.
Funding is for a year only at the present time.
Previously all activities had been free but there will be a minimum charge to cover costs from now on.
The ‘Make a Wish Fund’ can be accessed for families experiencing financial difficulties.
UNDER 8’s
Oaklea will be providing a ‘sitting service’ for the 0-8 years. This will be one to one support. It will be a voucher scheme and each child can have up to 4 hrs a week/ 16 hrs a month.
Parents can choose to stay in the house or go out while the sitter is there.
Parents will need to fill in an application form and then the family will be visited and a Needs Assessment done unless there is already one done which parents are happy for them to use.
They will have one key worker only.
Vouchers can be used in block. Oaklea will need a few days notice at least to provide this.
Staff are currently being trained for this role.
It is for children with learning disabilities and/or physical disabilities.
To access this service parents will need to contact the Oaklea Kendal number 01539735025.
Jon also informed us that in addition to The Oaklea Trust children’s centres have been given money to provide services for 5-8 yr olds and their siblings. Also that there are some inclusion workers to help children access other activities such as brownies/cubs/sports clubs
AOB
Jon gave the group information on DCATCH- National extension of the Disabled Children’s Access to Childcare pilots. Cumbria is involved with this. This information is about a new initiative that is being planned by Children’s services to try out ways of developing childcare for disabled children. This is about registered child care that parents use whilst they are working or at training courses. If any parent is interested in helping to make childcare better please let your parent lead in your locality know and look out for more information through your parent forums.
There is a ‘Wills & Trust ‘ session taking place on 18th May at 10am -12 -00 at The Methodist church in Penrith. Places still available-ring Contact a Family to book a place.
Date of next meeting
September 16th 10 am -12 at Kirby Thore Children’s centre.