Children with Disabilities team
The Children with Disabilities Team includes:
- a team manager
- a practice manager responsible for office management and the Duty System
- 2 social worker's responsible for complex cases and child protection. One is a sensory lead.
- a social worker with a special interest in Autistic Spectrum Disorders
- a family support worker leading on transition
- a family support worker responsible for supporting the qualified social workers, and direct work with families
- 1 business support officer
- 1 screening officer
The team provides:
- advice and guidance on service and resources
- S47 Child Protection investigations
- Public Law Outline processes and care proceedings
- single social work assessments (sometimes jointly with the First Contact team). Disabled Person's Assessments and Child in Need Reviews.
- helps families plan for the future
- support to families
- organises short breaks
- finds opportunities for children to have fun
- long term alternative care Section 17 and 20 of The Children Act 1989 (in some cases)
Principles
The Children with Disabilities Team seeks to promote:
- equality of opportunity
- reduced discrimination against those with disabilities
Disabled children:
- are seen as children first
- are children in need
- should have access to the same range of services as non-disabled children
- the welfare of the child should be safeguarded and promoted by service providers
- efforts must be made to learn the child's wishes and feelings. And take them into account
- the importance of parents and families in the lives of disabled children should be recognised. Assessments are holistic and include the needs of siblings and carers
- parents of disabled children have greatly expanded care commitments. And should be recognised as both parents and carers
- carers of children held by the team have a right to a carer's assessment. This includes young carers
To meet needs:
- parent carers can get direct payments in lieu of services for the child. And in lieu of services for themselves as part of the family
- disabled young people (age 16 to 17) can get direct payments in lieu of services to them where appropriate
- short-term breaks should be provided to meet assessed need