What support services do we provide?
We
provide a wide range of support services to disabled children and their families
who require extra support that is not available from the universal services
within the community. These support services seek to meet the child‘s needs
that are over and above those of any child of the same age.
These
services support the disabled child and their family to enhance the child’s
own abilities, help them to develop to their full potential and reduce the stresses
and strains that caring for a disabled child can have upon the whole family.
Support
services include:
-
Disabled
Children’s Social Work team
-
Day
care family support
-
Intervention
and Support teams
-
Short
break services/respite care
-
Direct
payments
-
Carers’
assessment
How can you access the service?
You
can visit 5-7 Cliff Gardens, Scunthorpe, or call 01724 296500.
The
Carers’ and Disabled Children Act 2000 states that
carers have the right to an assessment of their needs as individuals, independently
of the needs of the child they care for. Such an assessment may result
in parents receiving additional services to help them care for their disabled
child.
Carers’
assessments are available by talking to Children and Families Services on 01724
296500 or Kaleidoscope on 01724 277766.
Kaleidoscope
is the one-stop-shop for support and services for disabled children and their
families in North Lincolnshire. It is jointly commissioned from NCH by North
Lincolnshire Council and North Lincolnshire Primary Care Trust.
What can you expect to happen?
You
can expect this service to provide the support and advice needed to meet the
needs of the child and their family over and above those of a child of the same
age.
All
services are provided in a helpful and friendly way where you feel that your
issues and concerns are listened to and acted upon wherever possible.
If
your enquiry or referral has been requested a carer’s assessment should be undertaken
with you within a few weeks of your request being made. It should help
you to identify your needs as a carer and the support or services that can help
meet those needs.
Disabled
children have the same rights as any other child to be protected and cared for
properly. Sometimes, however, due to the nature of their disability, disabled
children can be more vulnerable to harm or abuse. This can be because they might:
- Have
problems communicating or telling someone about the abuse;
- Have
multiple carers, sometimes providing personal care for them or;
- Accept
adults invading their privacy, or having things done to them or;
- Be
less likely to openly complain about unpleasant things than other children.
Different forms of abuse
Children
can suffer abuse in a number of ways: either through their care being neglected;
suffering sexual abuse; being physically hurt or being emotionally harmed. Most
of us worry more about strangers abusing our children but unfortunately, when
children are abused, it is usually by someone they know. Abusers can be other
children, professionals working with children, or even friends and relatives
and adults they trust.
Indicators of abuse
As
parents, you know your child best and you will usually be the first to notice
if something seems wrong. Signs of abuse could include:
- Changes
in your child’s behaviour, becoming upset for no reason etc
- Unusual
marks or bruises without good reason or explanation
- Your
child seeming wary, anxious, or unusually withdrawn
- Signs
that routine basic care has not been provided or;
- Sexualised
behaviour unusual for your child or beyond the child’s knowledge.
It
is difficult to provide a full list so it is probably best for you to rely on
your instincts as a parent and note any changes that seem particularly worrying.
What to do next
If
you suspect abuse, try to stay calm and try to sign or communicate with your
child in a calm manner. Try to find out how they are and if they have any fears
or worries. If a specific injury has occurred, find out if anything has happened
to them that they are unhappy with. Try not to ask leading questions or make
assumptions.
You
may want to get support from a trusted friend or relative but you should always
tell your child’s social worker. The social worker will make an assessment of
the situation and take further steps if necessary.
If
your child does not have a social worker you should still tell a social worker
by ringing the local safeguarding team on 01724 296500. Ask to be put through
to a duty social worker and have all the factual details to hand and discuss
your concerns.
What happens next
If
the social worker feels that your child may have suffered or is suffering significant
harm, then they will discuss the matter with the police and investigate it.
This may involve interviewing your child and recording it on DVD. Specially
trained police and social workers with a knowledge of disability will do this
and usually you, or an adult whom your child feels safe with, can be present
throughout the interview.
In
some cases, (with your child’s consent) a medical might be needed first and
a specially trained doctor will conduct the medical as sensitively as possible..
If
the allegations are about someone who works with children, then there are special
procedures for dealing with this that include considering the safety of other
children.
In
a small number of cases, criminal proceedings may follow. Usually, the DVD evidence
from the interview will be sufficient, but sometimes children have to give evidence
in court. If this happens, a specially trained witness support worker will be
provided to support your child through the process. Special measures are used
in court to help children, such as the use of screens or video links. Your child’s
social worker can also advise on therapy or counselling that may be needed by
your child.hat
If There Is No Abuse But I’m Still Worried?
If
abuse or harm is not confirmed, yet you are still worried about your
child, the social worker can advise you and your child about getting support
from the disability team or another agency. If this happens you may be asked
to be part of a Child In Need Meeting. The social worker will explain this more
fully for you if it is needed.