As a Carer or Parent you are entitled to a Community Care Assessment in your own right. You can receive a Direct Payment to purchase services for your disabled child. When the child becomes 16 yrs they can claim in their own right.

The aim of a direct payment is to give more flexibility in how services are provided to disabled children and their families who are assessed eligible for social services support. You can employ a carer to help with personal care of your child. By giving a payment in lieu of social care services people have greater choice and control over their lives, and are able to make their own decisions about how their care is delivered. In Buckinghamshire independent information and support is available from:

Direct Payments (Information)	01296 - 422035
Direct Payments (Advisor)	01296 - 485483

The National Centre for Independent Living

also gives independent advice. They have an `Employers Toolkit` detailing how to employ a carer.

NCIL is based in Vauxhall, South London, but works all over the country.
250 Kennington Lane
London
SE11 5RD
Tel: 0207 587 1663 Fax: 0207 582 2469 Text: 0207 587 1177
link: http://www.ncil.org.uk

E-mail: ncil@ncil.org.uk

Carer`s Allowance

this benefit is for people who regulalry spend 35 hours per week caring for a severley disabled person i.e. the disabled person is awarded middle or high rate of Disability Living Allowance. There are quite complicated rules surrounding this benefit as it can affect how other benefits are paid. It is best to consult an independent advisor such as BDIN to ensure you that your claim is in your best interest and to maximise entitlement to other benefits. It is worth noting that if the disabled child has an older brother or sister aged 16yrs plus who would care for them they can claim this allowance during the summer break from school.

BDIN can be contacted on 01296-487924.

Contact us also for details of local activities and leisure opportunites.

SUPPORT

Being a parent is a difficult job for everyone but is perhaps made even more so if your child has a long term illness or disability. You may feel isolated, not knowing of anyone else in the same situation. You probably need more information on your child`s condition and would like to talk to someone who understands and can give advice, information and a shoulder to lean on.

Contact A Family can give excellent support. It`s a UK wide charity giving not only information and advice but also offering a `matching` service enabling parents to be put in touch with one another locally and/or nationally. They reach 250,000 families every year. There`s a facility to translate information into various langauges and an innovative Dad`s Zone.

They can give medical information, have many publications and a campaign and policy unit.

Get in touch with Contact A Family via this web link: http://www.cafamily.org.uk

e-mail them at: info@cafamily.org.uk

telephone the helpline on: 0808 - 808 3555

or write to them at: 209-211 City Road, London EC1V 1JN

Education Advice

The main independent charity giving advice on special needs education is the Advisory Centre for Education. It offers information and advice for 5 - 16 year olds in state education in England And Wales. There is a telephone help line dealing with Special Educational Needs as well as many other subjects. Call 0808 - 800 5793. Lines are open Monday to Friday 2pm to 5pm.

You can also e-mail them at: enquiries@ace.dialnet.com

Visit their website at this link: http://www.ace-ed.org.uk

The Independent Panel for Special Education Advice (IPSEA) is a specialised service giving advice to parents of children with any special need. It can

not only give general advice but also advice on appealing to the Special Needs and Disability Tribunal, including representation when needed and second professional opinions.

The Advice Line freephone number is: 0800 - 018 4016

Visit their website at this link: http://www.ipsea.org.uk

or write to them at:

6 Carlow Mews, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 1EA.

Network 81 is an umbrella organisation of parent support groups.It is a registered charity that provides independent support to parents and was established to advance the education of children with special educational needs. The helpline number is: 0870 - 770 3306

A link to their web site is: http://www.network81.org

e-mail: enquiries.network81@btconnect.com

write to: 1-7 Woodfield Terrace, Stanstead, Essex, CM24 8AJ.

Suprisingly (!), there is substantial information on a government website:

link: http://www.direct.gov.uk

and look in the Education & Learning section for information on

special educational needs:

- a step by step approach

- choosing a school

- assessments

- statements

- changing a statement