in touch - contact · 1 wills and trust workshop 2 contents & quick links in touch east...
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Wills and Trust workshop 2
Contents & Quick Links
IN TOUCH East Midlands e-news
To remove your name from our mailing list, email [email protected] or call 0121 415 4624
Review of residential schools 3
Spring 2017
Top tips for sleep 5
Help with behaviour 4
Holiday guide 6
Kidz to Adultz, free event 10
Help with autism research 11
Free workshops for parents 12
What’s On 15
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Do you worry about what will hap-pen in the future when you are no longer around to protect a child who is disabled or has special needs?
Even if you make a will, the will might not be set up in a way that will safe-guard the interests of an adult child who has learning difficul-ties or special needs.
Contact a Family is organising a free workshop for parents of disabled children who want to plan ahead.
The workshop is facilitated by Jessica Tinsley of Simpson Solici-tors who will talk to parents about using wills and trusts to pro-tect the interest of a young person with special needs. There will be an opportunity for parents to ask questions about their own particular circumstances.
The two hour session (10.30am-12.30pm) will be held on Tues-day, February 28, at the Rainbow Conference Centre, Lough-borough, which is easily accessible off junction 23 of the M1. Booking is essential. To reserve your place please complete and return the booking form attached to this email, or call 0121 415 4624.
Planning for the Future
—Wills and Trusts
IN TOUCH East Midlands e-news Sprng 2017
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Does your child at-
tend a residential
special school? Or
do you work in
one? If so you
might want to
make your views known as part of an independent
review looking at the outcomes and experiences of
children and young people attending residential
schools.
Many of these children have the most complex
needs and require more intensive support than oth-
er children.
Dame Christine Lenehan, who is conducting the re-
view, is gathering evidence from those working in
residential care settings; the students and their par-
ents about their experiences.
You can find our more https://
consult.education.gov.uk/special-educational-needs-
and-disability-division/lenehan-review/
Please send responses to Leneh-
[email protected] by March 17 .
Review of residential special schools
IN TOUCH East Midlands News
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Do you need help with your child’s behaviour?
IN TOUCH East Midlands News
There are often complex reasons be-hind a child's behaviour - it is rarely anyone's 'fault'. Parents can feel under a lot of pressure to solve behaviour problems, and are naturally very wor-ried about the best approach. What is helpful to know is that all be-haviours are a form of communica-tion, and if you can work out what your child is trying to tell you through their behaviour, then you can look for ways to prevent them becoming distressed, as well as help them find other, more acceptable ways to communicate their needs. Our newly updated guide for parents, Understanding your child's behaviour, looks at: Why children behave in different ways. How to set the scene for good behaviour, recognising triggers and finding strategies. Managing specific issues, like tantrums or biting. Looking after yourself People and organisations who can support. Parents can contact our freephone helpline on 0808 808 3555, email [email protected] and ask for a free copy of the lat-est edition. Or you can download Understanding your child's be-haviour free on our website. Other guides for parents in our series on parenting issues, availa-ble from our helpline or to download, include: Helping your child's sleep Potty/toilet training
Feeding and eating
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Emma Weatherdon, one of Contact a Family’s Parent Advisers in
the Midlands, recently became a Qualified Sleep Practitioner. If
your group of parents and carers would like Emma to deliver a
free 2 hour Sleep workshop, and for more information, please
get in touch with Emma on 07920 655004 or email
Emma’s Top Tips for a good night’s sleep
Create a calm and consistent bedtime
routine.
Turn of all electricals and stop watching
TV for an hour before lights out.
Use a Sleep Phrase such as “It’s sleep
time” consistently at bed time and through the night during any
waking periods. “It’s sleep time” takes away any arguments
about whether it is still day or night.
Limit exercise for an hour before bedtime, try hand eye co-
ordination activities and games instead – sewing, drawing, col-
ouring and jigsaws are all good activities.
Think about your child’s room – is it over-stimulating? Could
you cover toys with a blanket at bed time? Is the room the right
temperature – not too hot or cold? Is there too much light or
noise – or not enough to make your child feel safe and restful?
Give a small supper – avoiding sugary foods and drinks.
If you are attempting to change bed-time habits then be firm
and patient and stick to the routine. Perseverance is key.
For more information Helping your child’s sleep
Top tips to help your child sleep!
IN TOUCH East Midlands News
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Thinking of a holiday?
Organising a holiday can seem
like a daunting task if you have a
child with a disability or a special
need. Not only do you need to
find the right location and ac-
commodation, but you might also need to find specialist travel
insurance. But everyone needs a break from time to time and a
family holiday can be wonderfully uplifting – so putting in the
effort can pay dividends. If you are thinking of a holiday, this hol-
iday information might help with your search:
Finding a holiday
Disability Holidays Guide
An online guide to help you find suitable holidays and accommo-
dation for all types of disability from mobility difficulties, learning
disabilities, mental illness, pre-existing medical conditions to car-
ers looking for respite break.
http://www.disabilityholidaysguide.com/disabled-holiday-directory.aspx
Disability Holidays Directory
A specialist travel agency that can help you find a suitable holiday
destination, including caravans and cottages in the UK; hotels
and villas abroad, cruises and theme park holidays including Dis-
ney. It also accepts Family Fund holiday grants.
http://www.disabledholidays.com/about/disabled-holidays-for-children.html
Thinking of a holiday?
Read our guide
IN TOUCH East Midlands News
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Holidays for all
On the Holidays for All website
you will find details of a range of
specialist holidays including the
Calvert Trust which provides ad-
venturous activity holidays for peo-
ple with physical, sensory or learning disabilities in Northumber-
land and the Lake District; Access Travel which organises holidays
to Europe and Florida; and Go Africa Safaris.
www.holidaysforall.org
Autism-friendly family holidays
The travel website holidaypirates.com has researched some use-
ful website if you want to find a family holidays which is autism-
friendly. Here are some links to what they found.
The Carer Van Badaguish Outdoor Centre Scotland Happy Kids Holidays Major Tour Operators
http://www.autism.org.uk/directory/browse/cid=98~aid=1.aspx
Ski 2 Freedom UK
Encourages snow-sport and
mountain activities for disabled
children and adults.
www.ski2freedom.com
Holiday guide, contd ...
IN TOUCH East Midlands News
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Travel Insurance
This link takes you through to
the Tourism for All website
which has a list of travel in-
surance companies for disabled people.
https://www.tourismforall.org.uk/travel-insurance.html
Flying – Airlines and Airports
Information on the UK
government website in-
cludes how to get forms
to tell airlines about inca-
pacity and illness (usually
on the airline’s website);
how to get seats at reduced rates if you are accom-
panying a person with illness or disability; and ser-
vices you can arrange to support your journey.
www.gov.uk/transport-disabled/planes
Holiday guide, contd ...
IN TOUCH East Midlands News
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Grants
Funding a holiday can be tricky when you are on low income, but
if you are looking for help towards the cost of a holiday, it might
be worth checking out what grants are available.
Family Fund
Family Fund UK might be able to help towards holiday costs for a
family with a disabled or seriously ill child from birth to 17. You
Telephone 01904 550055. or log on to www.familyfund.org.uk to
see if you are eligible to apply.
Turn2Us
Turn2Us has an online tool to search and apply for grants.
www.turn2us.org.uk
Contact a Family Freephone helpline
You can call the Contact a Family Freephone helpline 0808 808 3555 and they can send you a list of grant providers.
Holiday guide, contd ...
IN TOUCH East Midlands News
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Parents are invited to
attend the FREE Kidz to
Adultz event at the
Ricoh Arena, Coventry, on March 16.
This is one of the largest, FREE UK exhibitions dedicated to chil-
dren and young adults up to 25 years with disabilities and addi-
tional needs, their families, carers and the professionals who
support them. Parking is also free at the venue.
There will be 130 exhibitors offering advice on funding, mobility,
seats, beds, specialist equipment, accessible vehicles. You will
also be able to get advice on education, legal issues, sports and
leisure or holidays.
Parents and professionals will also be able to attend free semi-
nars on issues such as sleep, toileting, challenging behaviour, au-
tism, transition, employment and legal matters.
To find out more and get a timetable of seminars log on to
For parents of disabled children
Everything you need under one roof
IN TOUCH East Midlands News
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Researchers at Cambridge University are trying to understand
the biomedical causes of autism spectrum conditions and trying
to develop new ways of assessing the condition and offering sup-
port.
The researchers are inviting young people over the age of 16
with an autism spectrum diagnosis to take part in the study. The
project will include personality tests, genetic research, cognition
tests and brain scans. If you would like more information log on
to autismresearchcentre.net
Contact a Family has appointed a new Hospitals worker in the Midlands. Claire Berwick joins the organisation from her previ-ous role with Autism West Midlands. She will run a weekly ad-vice service from the outpatients department at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and a monthly drop in at the Patient Experi-ence Hub.
Claire can be contacted at our Midlands office on 0121 415 4624 or on mobile number 07920 655151.
IN TOUCH East Midlands News
Help with autism research
Hospitals worker Midlands
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IN TOUCH East Midlands Free Workshops
Sleep workshop Tuesday 7 February, 4pm-4.45pm St Martin's School, Derwent Campus, Bracknell Drive, Alvaston, DE24 0BR Contact a Family is running a workshop to help parents whose children have sleep problems. You will learn about the impact of poor sleep, and strategies to help your children with better sleep. Open to parents whose children attend Derby City schools. For more information and to book a place, call Derby Steps on 01332 641400 or email [email protected] Challenging Behaviour Friday 24 February Etwall Children's Centre, Hilton Road, Etwall, DE65 6HZ A workshop for parents of disabled and special needs children to help them deal with challenging behaviour. Contact Susan Gillott at [email protected] for more information. Open to all parents. Planning for your child's Future - Wills and Trusts Tuesday 28 February, 10.30am-12.30pm Rainbow Conference Centre, Lark Rise, Loughborough LE11 2HS Contact a Family is organising a workshop for parents who want to plan for the future of their disabled child. The workshop will be led by Jessica Tinsley from Simpson Solicitors who will guide you through the use of Wills and Trusts. There will be an opportunity to ask questions about your personal circumstances. Open to all parents. Booking essential. To book contact [email protected]
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IN TOUCH East Midlands Free Workshops
Moving to Adulthood Tuesday 7 March, 4pm-4.45pm St Martin's School, Derwent Campus, Bracknell Drive, Alvaston, DE24 0BR Prepare and plan with your adolescent child as they move to adulthood. This workshop will help you get an overview of the things you need to think about in education, training and the community, and give you tools to work with. Open to parents with children at Derby city schools. For more information and to book a place, call Derby Steps on 01332 641400 or email [email protected]
Coping & Support; Challenging Behaviour
Thursday, March 9, 9.30am-3pm
Long Eaton, venue to be confirmed. Open to all parents.
Coping & Support Workshop (morning session) and Challenging Behaviour Workshop (afternoon session). Lunch included. Long Eaton area - venue to be confirmed.
For more information call: 0121 415 4624
Siblings Workshop
Friday March 24, 9.45am-12pm. Open to all parents.
Etwall Childrens Centre, Hilton Road, Etwall, DE65 6HZ
For more information call: 0121 415 4624
Challenging Behaviour Workshop
Friday, March 31, 9.15am-4pm. Open to all parents
7 Mansfield Road Nottingham NG1 3FB
For more information call: 0121 415 4624
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IN TOUCH East Midlands Free Workshops
Education Workshop Tuesday 4 April, 4pm-5.45pm St Martin's School, Derwent Campus, Bracknell Drive, Alvaston, DE24 0BR A workshop to help you understand the system of support for children with special educational needs and disabilities in schools and colleges. Find out if your child is eligible for extra support and learn about EHC plans. For more information and to book a place, call Derby Steps on 01332 641400 or email [email protected] Siblings Workshop Tuesday 2 May, 4pm-5.45pm St Martin's School, Alvaston A workshop to help parents of a special needs child to: Support siblings with their feelings. Identify strategies to help with communicating. Help siblings develop their own support networks Understand where they can go to get more help and support
Open to parents whose children attend Derby City schools. To book, email [email protected] or call 01332 641400
Helping your child to sleep Workshop
Friday, May 19, 9.45am-12pm. Open to all parent
Etwall Childrens Centre, Hilton Road, Etwall, DE65 6HZ
9.45am to 12.00pm
For more information contact: 0121 415 4624
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IN TOUCH East Midlands What’s On
Derbyshire
Trampolining
Trampolining for young people with additional needs.
Qualified coaches. Supervision by parent/carers.
Venue: Ripley Leisure Centre Date and time: Saturday at 11.15 ; £4.00 per session. Contact: Vanya Currell or Ripley Leisure Centre on: 01773 514727 and leave a message for Tracy
Leicester
Get Yourself Active
Get Yourself Active is a partnership led by Disability
Rights UK, funded by Sport England and delivered by
Leicestershire Centre for Integrated Living. The project
works with disabled people to identify opportunities to
take part in sports and physical activities to help stay
active and get fit.
If you would like to find out what is on new you, contact: Dan Ball, Co-ordinator, on 0116 222 5005. Nottinghamshire
Autism-friendly Swimming club
Venue: Water Meadows Swimming Club, Water Meadows , Mansfield NG18 1BA Date: Feb 13, March 12 between 7 and 8pm. £12 per family. Contact: Kathryn Brown on 07825 396 378.
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If you would like us to publicise your events or activities in our e-news,
please send details to us by the 20th of each month. We will do our best to
include all relevant activities when space is available.
Please get in touch too if you would like to make suggestions about infor-
mation to include which would be useful to parents. E-mail wen-
[email protected]; or Parent Adviser East Midlands: Em-
Contact Emma on 07920 655004.
Keep in touch
Contact a family
Contact a Family is the leading UK-wide charity providing advice, infor-
mation and support to all families with disabled children, regardless of disa-
bility.
Our freephone helpline: 0808 808 3555.
Open Monday-Friday, 9.30am-5pm
The Contact a Family freephone helpline is an advice service for parents and
family members caring for a disabled child. We also have a dedicated SEN
(Special Educational Needs) service to advise families, on any aspect of their
child’s education.
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.cafamily.org.uk
IN TOUCH East Midlands
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email [email protected]
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