Progress Transition Guide May 2015

May 2015

Positive risk taking Managing and embracing risk

Last minute holidays

SCAN

SCAN

SCAN

EB How toE access your money SIT E B

R NEW OU

VISIT TO

W

SIT E

R NEW OU

EB

VISIT TO

Banking W

SIT E

iPad

W

W

EB

VISIT TO

R NEW OU

VISIT TO

R NEW OU

SCAN

Ideas for spending time away

SIT E

Moving out

Where to live and who to live with DOWNLOAD OUR FREE APP TODAY Social media and work

Using social media to find a job DOWNLOAD OUR FREE APP TODAY DOWNLOAD OUR FREE APP TODAY

Supporting a positive transition for 12 to 25 year olds with additional needs

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE APP TODAY www.progressmagazine.co.uk

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE APP TODAY

www.ineedawheelchair.co.uk @RMSLimited Tel: 01795 477280 E: katie.a@rms-kent.co.uk RMS Limited, Thompson House, Unit 10, Styles Close, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 3BF

The Dondolino stander has a highly adjustable bright frame that

provides support for children with mild to moderate physical disabilities. The Dondolino is designed to be used at home, school and communities as it enhances the childs capacity to adapt to their surroundings and interact positively with the world around them.

Features: • Table - adjustable in height, depth and tilt • Frame - adjustable in tilt • Knee-Pads - adjustable in depth, width and in a rotator movement • Heel-Rests - adjustable in depth and width • Wooden Base - adjustable in height • Pelvic Support - adjustable in its circumference, height, backwards and forwards thanks to the Velcro straps • Chest Support - (for sizes 2 and 3) adjustable in its circumference, height, backwards and forwards thanks to Velcro straps • Wheels - Lockable and punchure-proof wheels Three different sizes are available

Tel: 01795 477280 www.ineedawheelchair.co.uk With nationwide coverage, RMS offer FREE assessments and demonstrations, please contact RMS on 01795 477280.

381/N381

ELC

ELC

ELW

ELW

40

May 2015

IN THIS ISSUE

4

THE TRANSITION FROM STATEMENTS

14

Ed Duff explains the transition to Education, Health and Care Plans and what you need to know.

LAST 18

Natspec

The Association of National Specialist Colleges

MOBILITY

If you want to live independently, Progress explores housing options and how to manage living with friends.

29

Whether you have your own ESS car or rely on public transport, Progress offers hints and tips for making mobility accessible.

CC

IBL

With the summer fast approaching, Progress offers alternative holiday, last minute break and day trip ideas.

Using

22

to find a job Progress explores social media as a tool to help you find that dream job.

@ p r o g r e s s _ m a g

44

Take your ‘what ifs’ for a test drive.

ONE-PAGE PROFILES Progress looks into what one page profiles are and the benefits that they bring.

Positive Risk Taking Taking risks is an important part of life progress details how these can be managed and embraced.

33

MINUTE

HOLIDAYS

Moving out and living with friends m

KIN MA G

A

A roundup of the latest news since our last issue.

www.natspec.org.uk

10 0

6 Progress News

26

E

Welcome to Progress

Banking

Sex AND relationships WE’RE TALKING ABOUT DATING APPS.

Gill Leno focuses on internet dating and both the risks and the rewards.

39

48

- breaking down barriers

Progress explores the latest actions from banks to support people to access their money.

Play and leisure: 52 understanding your rights Everybody has a right to leisure opportunities, play and short breaks, this feature helps you understand those rights.

54

Whats on offer with the Local Offer?

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

3

Welcome from the Editor Welcome to the May issue of Progress. For new readers and old, we’ve worked hard to bring you another interesting selection of features this issue.

We’ve also redesigned our NATSPEC college pages – if you’re looking for a specialist college – details start on page 26.

Contributors & Advisers

As we head towards summer we have taken a look at last minute holidays that might give you ideas for your own break.

From camping and caravanning to something a bit different, the feature starts on page 18. We hope it inspires you to have a fun holiday this year. Also, if you want to know your rights to play, leisure or short breaks, turn to Polly Sweeney’s article on page 52. Polly explains what the local authority’s duty is and how to use the Local Offer to find out what’s available in your area.

For those of you planning to become more independent, we’ve taken a look at housing options and what to think about if moving out – especially if you’d like to live with friends.

The article is on page 40. We have also focused on recent actions by high street banks to help you access your money in a way that is suitable to you.

Having control over your own money is a big step towards

independence and the feature on page 48 should help you to manage your money in an accessible way.

On page 26 you’ll find our redesigned NATSPEC pages.

NATSPEC is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

Finally, for those of you who picked up this copy of Progress at the Transition Event - we hope you found the day useful and valuable. If you’d like to receive Progress regularly, fill out and return the subscription form on page 32.

Thanks for reading, see you in September.

Emma Morriss Editor

T: 01223 207770

E: editor@progressmagazine.co.uk Twitter: @progress_mag

• Anne Butler, The Hesley Group

• Fiona Bubb, Plan4U

• Carolyn Warne, Treloar College

• Gill Leno, Queen Alexandra College

• Duncan Bell, Dimensions

• Maria Sharpe, SweetTree

• Ed Duff, Boyes Turner

• Polly Sweeney, Irwin Mitchell

• Elaine Draper, Barclays

• Sarah Maguire, Choice Support

Care Choices Limited has taken every care to ensure that the information contained in this publication is accurate. The company cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions or if a service varies from the facilities listed either in an advertisement or the indices. Care Choices Limited does not endorse or support any particular institution included in this publication. © 2015 Care Choices Limited. Care Choices Limited reserves all rights in the title Progress and its design. Care Choices™ is a trademark of Care Choices Limited. ISBN 978-1-910362-44-0 Printed in England. The information and opinions contained in this magazine and on our website are for general information purposes only. The information and materials do not constitute legal or other professional advice. They are not intended to constitute legal or other professional advice, and should not be relied on or treated as a substitute for specific advice relevant to particular circumstances. Care Choices Limited and its Contributors do not accept any responsibility for any loss which may arise from this information and opinions.

Ref. No: 4001/SC22/0415. Reproduction of any part of this publication in any form without the written permission of Care Choices Limited is prohibited. Published by: Care Choices Limited, Valley Court, Lower Road, Croydon, Nr Royston, Hertfordshire SG8 0HF • Telephone: 01223 207770 • Fax: 01223 207108 • E-mail: progress@carechoices.co.uk • Web: www.progressmagazine.co.uk­­­­­ SALES: Sue Speaight • NATIONAL SALES MANAGER: Paul Leahy • EDITOR: Emma Morriss • LEAD WRITER: Emma Cooper • PRODUCTION: Jamie Harvey, Gemma Cook & Holly Cornell.

4

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

@ p r o g r e s s _ m a g

SHC

www.sussexhealthcare.co.uk

Award Winning Care Homes

Care homes for people with learning disabilities/ physical disabilities/neurological conditions Beechcroft Care Centre and Hazel Lodge

East Grinstead

01342 300499

Beech Lodge and Oak Lodge

Horsham

01403 791725

Horncastle Care Centre

East Grinstead

01342 813910

Kingsmead Care Centre

Horsham

01403 265335

Kingsmead Lodge

Horsham

01403 211790

Norfolk Lodge

Horsham

01403 218876

Orchard Lodge and Boldings Lodge

Horsham

01403 242278

Rapkyns Care Centre

Horsham

01403 276756

Rapkyns Care Home

Horsham

01403 265096

Redwood House

Horsham

01403 790948

Sycamore Lodge

Horsham

01403 240066

White Lodge

Croydon

02087 632586

Wisteria Lodge and Stable Lodge

Nutley

01825 714080

Woodhurst Lodge

Crawley

01444 401228

Horsham Nutley East Grinstead Horsham Billingshurst Horsham Henfield

01403 790312 01825 712514 01342 810219 01403 265335 01403 786832 01403 265096 01273 492870

Care for older people

Sussex Healthcare is an award winning group of care homes providing 30 years of healthcare in Sussex. The Group operates 20 homes, predominantly in the West Sussex area, providing over 550 placements, incorporating specialist care provision as well as care for older people.

Clemsfold House Forest Lodge Horncastle House Kingsmead Care Centre Longfield Manor Rapkyns Care Home Upper Mead

STOP PRESS: Brand new purpose built services now available to view for anyone wishing to arrange a visit. The service provision includes specialist care facilities for people with acquired brain Injury, profound learning and physical disabilities, and new residential services for people with Autism.

To find out more about our homes and the services we offer, contact: Corrine Wallace Director of Operations

01403 217 338 enquiries@sussexhealthcare.co.uk

SHC A4 Award Ad AW.indd 1

22/01/2015 16:48

6

PROGRESS NEWS

A bold ambition to ensure more disabled people can reap the benefits of the UK’s growing economy and jobs market is behind the new changes to a Government support scheme.

New reforms for Access to Work scheme A bold ambition to ensure more disabled people can reap the benefits of the UK’s growing economy and jobs market is behind the new changes to a Government support scheme.

New reforms to the Government’s flagship Access to Work scheme just unveiled in Parliament will pave the way for thousands more disabled people to be supported into mainstream employment, while being given new choices and control over the type of practical help they receive.

Changes to the scheme will also enhance support for disabled people who wish to start their own businesses.

Minister of State for Disabled People, Mark Harper said, ‘We have invested an extra £15m in Access to Work since 2012 and user numbers are rising steadily. I hope these changes will help many more to join them in getting into, and staying in, work in the future.’

For more information visit www.gov.uk/dwp or see page 22 if you are entering the world of work.

Better Access Now! As disabled people all around the UK were encouraged to visit public venues during January’s Disabled Access Day, national charity Revitalise’s own research has revealed that many public venues are falling short when it comes to being fully accessible.

Two separate studies by Revitalise have highlighted the scale of the problem. The study of the UK’s most visited tourist attractions found that nearly two thirds of venues (64%) were not 100% accessible for wheelchair users, while a survey of disabled shoppers revealed that 8 out of 10 disabled people and carers (84%) had experienced problems with the accessibility of major high street stores.

The UK’s public venues need to work harder on accessibility or risk losing out, according to these findings.

6

The study of the UK’s most visited tourist attractions found that nearly two thirds of venues (64%) were not 100% accessible for wheelchair users. www.progressmagazine.co.uk

Last minute holidays - page 18 Plan your summer break.

Positive risk taking - page 44 Managing risks in everyday life.

also including:

SENDirect • Visiting the capital • Minister visits Calvert Trust Exmoor

Mental health in sport initiative A recent Government initiative saw a host of sport organisations, from the England and Wales Cricket Board, to the Football Association, signing a charter committed to removing the stigma and prejudice around mental health in all areas of sport. The initiative hopes to use the power of sport to pull mental health out of the shadows and help put an end to people suffering in silence.

The positive move follows a report from leading mental health charity MIND in October last year which called for a national network to tackle mental health in sport following an increasing number of testimonies from high profile sports people about their own mental health struggles.

The independent evaluation showed that both children, and their families, benefitted from the respite.

THE INITIATIVE HOPES TO USE THE POWER OF SPORT TO PULL MENTAL HEALTH OUT OF THE SHADOWS AND HELP PUT AN END TO PEOPLE SUFFERING IN SILENCE.

Lack of short breaks National charity, Sense is calling on authorities to commit to providing appropriate short breaks for families with children who have multi-sensory impairments or complex needs. The call follows the results of a Birmingham City Council short break pilot scheme for disabled children. The independent evaluation showed that both children and their families benefitted from the respite. Local councils are legally-bound to provide short break services for disabled children so it is important to know your rights in this area.

For more information on your rights to short breaks, see page 52.

Minister launches national network of Autism Champions Norman Lamb, Minister of State for Care and Support has just launched a national network of high-profile Autism Champions, willing to use their own ideas, experience and networks to advance a national Autism Awareness campaign, Connect to Autism which has been co-ordinated by the Autism Alliance UK and funded by the Department of Health.

By introducing the first online autism community and creating autism-friendly venues throughout the UK, the project hopes to ‘enable people to be fully part of their communities, and allow people with autism to be equal citizens’, according to Norman Lamb. A network of local champions who are committed to making their own communities autism-friendly will be key in this positive move for making people more aware of the difficulties that people with autism can face. Visit www.autism-connect.org.uk for more information.

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

7

PROGRESS NEWS Victim Support launches website for young crime victims In response to widespread concern that children and young people in England and Wales are confused and intimidated by the criminal justice system, the charity, Victim Support recently released the first website designed specifically to tackle these issues. Following research showing that some under 18s may not realise they have been a victim of crime, do not want to go to the police and are scared to testify in court, the website www.youandco.org.uk aims to support young people with these issues.

New findings from a poll of over one thousand UK GPs found that 95% of them have patients with health problems directly related to inaccessible homes.

Poor quality housing affects GPs The charity, Leonard Cheshire Disability says the lack of ‘disabled-friendly’ homes in the UK is placing pressure on health and care services and, in particular, on GPs and their time. New findings from a poll of over one thousand UK GPs found that 95% of them have patients with health problems directly related to inaccessible homes. The charity also found that nearly 3% (2.9%) of GPs’ total caseloads relate to inaccessible housing. This is the equivalent of 15,000 hours or six working years dealing with issues surrounding poor housing.

The charity, supported by the Royal College of General Practitioners, says it would cost the Government nothing to require all new homes to be built to accessible standards. For more information on moving out and living independently, see page 40.

We are a national charity that supports and campaigns for children and adults who are deafblind or have sensory impairments.

Sense Specialist College is an Independent Specialist College, operating in the East Midlands and East of England across 9 sites. It is part of the national “Sense” parent organisation, a registered charity and company limited by guarantee, for deafblind people.

The College has its own deafblind specialist curriculum which identifies 4 phases of development across 5 domains; Communication, Conceptual & Sensory, Movement, Mobility & Orientation, Personal & Social Development and World of work. Individual pathways are followed depending on individual’s desired destination.

Children’s Specialist Services • Community Resource Centres • Short Breaks and Holidays Usher Service • Accommodation Choices

celebrating 60 years

Sense Specialist College 50 Forder Way, Cygnet Park, Hampton PE7 8FD Telephone: 01733 425053 • Email: jo.loubser@sense.org.uk • Web: www.sense.org.uk

8

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

Visiting the capital As part of the Visit Britain access project, a joint-funded initiative by The Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre has been launched to support accessibility in theatres. The promotional video has already had well over 1,000 YouTube views and aims to highlight the wealth of access initiatives that are currently available across London to ensure that everybody has access to the arts. You can view the video at www.britainisgreat.com/accessible-theatreland-london

Action needed on hearing loss A new Action Plan on Hearing Loss to support services for deaf people and those with diminishing hearing has been produced by NHS England and the Department of Health. Aimed at commissioners, Clinical Commissioning Groups, GPs and healthcare providers, the report identifies multiple health and social issues with hearing loss and recommends ways that services for people of all ages living with hearing loss can be improved. Improvements include services being more person-centred, working together and sharing best ways of working.

A new Action Plan on Hearing Loss to support services for deaf people and those with diminishing hearing has been produced

by NHS England and the Department of Health.

the company that cares...

LODGE GROUP CARE

WHAT WE DO

199 South St, Romford, Essex RM1 1QA • www.lodgegroup.com

We have a proven track record in providing specialised residential care for adults or children with a learning disability, challenging behaviour and Autism.

We provide a person centred visiting service for young adults

INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT AND CARE PACKAGES:

• residential care • respite care • supported living accommodation • outreach support We have a clear understanding of the importance of a smooth transition between children and adult services or transition from residential into supported accommodation.

To enable focus on the individual, we have developed clear policy and procedures to ensure that they receive a service that best suits them and meets their personal choices and needs.

“

The ethos of our company is built around person centred planning and our mission is to ensure that support and care packages provided are based on individuality and service user input.

”

HOW WE HELP

Our carers visit daily to help with medication, food and drink, and personal care

HOW ELSE WE HELP

We speak with nurses, doctors and social services to make sure your getting the care you need

WE ARE ALWAYS HAPPY TO TALK Telephone: 0208 597 96 85 or visit www.lodgegroup.com

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

9

PROGRESS NEWS

@ p r o g r e s s _ m a g

Improving journeys ‘door to door’ A £3.9million package to boost environmentally-friendly transport and improve accessibility for disabled people has been unveiled by Transport Minister, Baroness Kramer. The money will be invested in improving ‘door to door’ journeys which will include a revamp of 12 mobility centres to provide support for disabled or elderly drivers. For more information on making mobility accessible, see page 29.

Groups honoured for ‘life-changing’ work Organisations that have helped transform the lives of disabled people have been recognised at the Accessible Britain Challenge Awards 2015 ceremony dedicated to promoting accessibility. The ceremony, which took took place at the Houses of Parliament, saw the YMCA Community Gym in Peterborough and London-based music accessibility charity, Attitude is Everything, coming up trumps in their categories.

Minister of State for Disabled People, Mark Harper, said, ‘It was an absolute pleasure to attend and to meet individuals who are so committed to making Britain more accessible. I hope this will encourage more organisations to think about the needs of disabled people and help drive the UK forward to become a truly disability confident nation.’

To see how Attitude is Everything is working with UK music festivals this summer, see page 18.

they do at Henshaws is “Everything geared around the real world Bogs Lane, Harrogate, HG1 4ED

Flexible learning programmes Henshaws College specialises in supporting young people with a wide range of disabilities and additional support needs. We offer individual, flexible learning programmes focused on personal and social development, independence and employability.

Through our specialist Disability Support Service, we provide assistive technologies and a range of therapeutic options to support our students throughout their studies.

Next Open Day: Wednesday 17th June Please contact us to book a visit.

Call 01423 886451 Email admissions@henshaws.ac.uk

www.henshaws.ac.uk Registered Charity No: 221888

10

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

“

Tracy, parent

SENDirect Launched at the beginning of the year, SENDirect is an online service aiming to reduce the time it can take and the stress which can be caused by trying to find the right support for you and your family. The service allows you to: • Search for and compare support, activities and services.

• Filter results by what is important to you.

• Talk to providers and negotiate adapted activities online.

• Buy support and equipment online, or authorise others to do so on your behalf.

Find out more at www.sendirect.org.uk.

Landmark DLA case heard at Supreme Court As part of their Counting the Costs campaign running in March, Contact a Family has been making sure that families don’t miss out on millions of pounds of extra income from not claiming Disability Living Allowance (DLA).

DLA is an issue which has been highly visible in the news recently, after a landmark case was heard at the Supreme Court in which a family from Warrington challenged the government rule that removed their hospitalised son’s DLA.

Contact a Family has also launched a helpline for anybody who needs help about what they could be claiming.

As well as dispelling some of the most common myths about DLA entitlements, Contact a Family has also launched a helpline for anybody who needs help about what they could be claiming. Phone 0808 808 3555 for more information.

The Disabled Insurance Specialists

Disabled Car Insurance

Independent Living Insurance

Adapted Home Insurance

Mobility Scooter & Equipment Insurance

Travel Insurance With Medical Conditions

Prosthetics Insurance

Visit our world at fishinsurance.co.uk or call us on 0800 088 3547 Calls are free from most landlines but some networks and mobile operators may charge. Lines are open Monday to Friday 9am - 5.30pm. Calls may be recorded and monitored for your protection. Fish Insurance is a trading name of Fish Administration Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FULL_SERVICE_ADVERT_06_2014

find us socially, search for “fish insurance”

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

11

PROGRESS NEWS

@ p r o g r e s s _ m a g

Minister visits Calvert Trust Exmoor The Calvert Trust Exmoor recently hosted a visit from Mark Harper MP, Minister for Disabled People, which saw him meet the staff and guests, explore the fully accessible facilities and learn more about how the holiday destination enables people with a range of disabilities to take part in adventurous activities.

Changes to the scheme will also enhance support for disabled people who wish to start their own businesses.

Jobseekers facing discrimination According to the latest research commissioned by the Recruitment Industry Disability Initiative (RIDI), one in three disabled jobseekers faces discrimination. The figures show that up to 37% of disabled jobseekers have been discriminated against during the recruitment process. In addition, 82% of disabled candidates have reported a negative experience with a recruitment consultancy, which they put down to a lack of knowledge surrounding disability issues.

There is also a big difference between the way candidates and recruiters think of the ‘reasonable adjustments’ made to accommodate disabled jobseekers – a legal requirement under the Equality Act 2010. Despite the fact that 82% of recruiters claim reasonable adjustments are made to cater for disabled jobseekers, 58% of those candidates say that no such adjustments were made.

If you are about to enter the world of work, see page 22 for information on how to use social media to find a job.

A new guide for getting into work A new guide has been released by the Preparing for Adulthood team which offers practical ideas and good practice examples to help address the issue of employment support for young people with mental health needs. The guide, Supporting Young People with Mental Health Needs into Employment: practical guidance for commissioners is available to download at www.preparingforadulthood.org.uk/what-we-do/mentalhealth/practical-guidance-for-commissioners For more information on seeking employment with a disability, see page 22.

12

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

Fairfield Farm College 43 High Street, Dilton Marsh Westbury, Wiltshire BA13 4DL

We provide our students with opportunities to learn new skills which prepare them for adult life in the community The Mount Camphill Community is an independent specialist residential college for students aged 16 - 24 with a range of learning and social difficulties.

The aim of the College is to develop new capabilities in each student through a practical path of learning and work that activates students’ own motivation and supports their evolving potential and independence.

Camphill Communities are based on mutual care, respect and the spiritual integrity of every individual.

An Independent Specialist College providing person centred Work Based Learning, Vocational and Independence training Specialism and expertise for students with learning difficulties or disabilities Day and Residential opportunities for 16 – 25 year olds Individualised curriculum focusing on outcomes for adult life Support for transition planning

• Set in 20-acre grounds of a former Victorian monastery.

• Well equipped craft workshops including a weavery, a forge, a woodwork shop, a bakery, a pottery, a training kitchen and gymnasium.

• Home to 65 people, including senior & volunteer co-workers, children & 35 students with special needs.

The Mount Camphill Community

Faircrouch Lane, Wadhurst, East Sussex TN5 6PT 01892 782 025 • office@mountcamphill.org www.mountcamphill.org

NEX OP T MORNEN ING Frid a 26 th Ju y ne

2015

For more information or to book onto an open day or small group visit please call 01373 866066 or Email: admissions@fairfieldfarmcollege.ac.uk natspec

www.fairfieldopportunityfarm.ac.uk

Achieving learning potential We work to ensure that blind and partially sighted children and adults, including those with additional disabilities, maximise their learning potential.

We provide support, advice and information for parents, carers and professionals.

RNIB Pears Centre for Specialist Learning, Coventry

We offer individually-tailored education, care and therapies to children and young people with multiple disabilities and complex health needs who are blind or partially sighted, from pre-school up to 19. Our education and care are both graded “Outstanding” by Ofsted. To arrange a visit or for more information, call 024 7636 9500 or visit rnib.org.uk/pearscentre

RNIB College Loughborough

Our small friendly college supports students with a wide range of disabilities to achieve their goals. Students will learn practical skills within our college enterprises such as our eBay shop, arts centre and college shop. To arrange a visit or for more information, call 01509 61 10 77 or visit rnibcollege.ac.uk RNIB charity nos. 1156629, SC044876 and 1109

@ p r o g r e s s _ m a g

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

13

THE TRANSITION FROM STATEMENTS

The Children and Families Act 2014 took effect on 1st September 2014. Since that time children have been making the move from a Statement of Special Educational Needs, or Learning Difficulty Assessment (LDA), to an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

The move from a Statement, or LDA, to an EHCP is called ‘transition’.

Under the new Act, Statements will be phased out by 2018, LDAs by 2016.

The timing of all transitions is set out in guidance. Local authorities have been allowed to set out their own timetables, as long as transition happens by the dates given in the guidance.

It is worth checking your local authority’s policy about this transition, but as a general rule, a child goes through transition when they change phase of education – such as primary to middle school, primary to secondary school, or secondary to further education.

LOCAL AUTHORITIES HAVE BEEN ALLOWED

TO SET OUT THEIR OWN TIMETABLES, AS LONG AS TRANSITION HAPPENS BY THE DATES GIVEN IN THE GUIDANCE. This is a golden opportunity for parents to ensure that any ‘holes’ in the Statement or LDA are plugged and to ensure that any outdated advice is refreshed. However, the Department for Education has already raised concern that local authorities are rushing the process and not focusing on quality.

What is an Education, Health and Care Plan?

The EHCP is a document which sets out the education, health and social care needs your child or young person has and the support that is necessary to cater for those needs. All the needs described within the EHCP must result from special educational needs (SEN).

The EHCP is a legally binding document. Your local authority and local health services (Care Commissioning Groups) have a legal duty to deliver what is in it.

The Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice 2015 gives local authorities guidance, but does not say exactly what the EHCP should look like. This means that every local authority may prepare the document so that it looks different. However, there are some things that should be the same.

14

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

The document should be separated into the following sections:

9. Specialist advice if the child is Hearing Impaired or Visually Impaired; and

A - Views, interests and aspirations of the child

10. If the child is in Year 9 or above, specialist advice about preparing for adulthood and independent living.

or young person;

B - The special educational needs; C - The health needs; D - Social care needs; E - Outcomes sought for the child; F - Special educational provision; G - Health care provision; H1 - Social care provision made for children/young

people under 18 years in line with the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act;

H2 - Social care provision made in addition to the

requirements of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act. This will include the Children and Families Act and Care Act support;

During a conference I attended in March 2015 at least one local authority suggested that they did not have to conduct an EHC needs assessment during transition. This is undoubtedly wrong.

The local authority must conduct an EHC needs assessment in all cases. However, the regulations say that the local authority must not seek new advice from any expert in the above list if advice already exists and the local authority, parents and author of the most recent piece of advice all agree a new report is not necessary.

During the transition process the local authority must hold a meeting with parents and/or the young person (if over 16 and still in education) to discuss the Outcomes section of the EHCP.

I

- School placement;

Outcomes

J

- Personal Budget;

Outcomes set out the goals that the EHCP seeks to achieve. They should be specific, measureable, achievable, realistic and time-bound.

K - List of advice.

How the transition should happen There is substantial guidance and regulation setting out how the transition from LDAs or Statements to EHCPs should happen. Importantly, the process of transition is much more than taking the wording from the Statement and putting it into the format of an EHCP. The transition is a 14 week process. Two weeks before the process starts, parents and young people will receive a letter explaining that the transition is about to start. The 14 week process starts two weeks from the date of that letter.

During the 14 week process, the local authority must conduct an EHC needs assessment. This involves seeking advice from: 1. You as the parent/carer; 2. Your child; 3. The education placement; 4. Medical professionals; 5. An educational psychologist; 6. Social care; 7. Anyone else the local authority considers necessary; 8. Anyone parents reasonably request

The reason that Outcomes are so important is that if they are reached this can be a trigger for the EHCP to stop. As such, Outcomes should seek to be as optimistic and long-term as possible, as long as they remain achievable and realistic.

Pitfalls and difficulties You may face a few difficulties in the process. The first issue is whether your local authority accepts the obligation to complete an EHC needs assessment during the transition. As soon as parents receive the letter notifying of transition, they should contact the local authority to ensure that the EHC needs assessment will be taking place and set out what advice they want the local authority to seek.

As mentioned, local authorities do not need to seek specific pieces of advice if parents agree that no further advice is needed. Parents need to be very careful to agreeing that no assessment(s) is needed.

In my experience, all transition meetings have been held in the total absence of social care. Few have involved a health professional. There is a legal requirement for health and social care to provide advice and to ‘co-operate’ with the SEN team in transition. Without clear input from health and social care, the EHCP will not be adequately completed in the health and care sections.

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

15

Be prepared Transition meetings are also being described as ‘outcome setting meetings’ in some cases. During these meetings parents are being expected to conjure the Outcomes that will be used within the EHCP. Parents should be prepared to attend these meetings with very clear ideas about the medium and long-term goals they want to set for their children and that their children want for themselves.

From the point that parents receive the letter about transition they need to monitor closely the action that local authorities are taking. You will need to ensure that appropriate advice is being sought and made proper use of.

Before attending any meeting during the transition period, parents need to be willing to query what the local authority is actually doing. They should also be prepared to discuss what they are unhappy about within the Statement of Special Educational needs or LDA to ensure that mistakes are not repeated.

THE TRANSITION IS A 14 WEEK PROCESS. TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE PROCESS STARTS, PARENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE WILL RECEIVE A LETTER EXPLAINING THAT THE TRANSITION IS ABOUT TO START. The Department for Education is very clear that transition is not just ‘rebranding’. The EHCP is an entirely new document. Parents need to understand the process and be prepared to take advice on how to navigate it successfully. Early intervention can prevent difficult appeals later on.

Finally, parents should be willing to allow the transition process to go beyond the 14 week timetable. Transition is a costly process and all local authorities are struggling with it. As your child’s Statement or LDA will remain in force until the EHCP is finalised, parents should only be willing for the process to be completed when they are sure that the EHCP is as complete as it can possibly be.

Ed Duff is a Solicitor at Boyes Turner.

Getting EHCP right for Andre Treloar School liaises with 17 different local authorities to work through the transfer of a Statement of Special Educational Needs to an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Once the EHCP is in place, Outcomes cannot be challenged at a tribunal so getting it right the first time is essential. The story of our student, Andre shows how successful this transfer process can be.

The first draft’s Outcomes from the local authority were a starting point; the next step was a transfer review where Andre’s multi-disciplinary team (MDT) had input. Professionals who worked as part of the MDT included a physiotherapist, occupational therapist, speech and language therapist, teacher, transition worker and residential manager. Input and outcomes from each area were essential to help Andre to be able to access education. Additionally a home visit was done jointly with the local authority to review and welcome parental input.

16

Over the following two months and through four drafts, the MDT, Andre, his parents, Treloar’s transition staff and Andre’s local authority worked many hours to ensure that the Outcomes and provision were correct and person-centred. Andre himself took ownership over his plan and had a great deal of input, from creating a ‘circle of support’, selecting a cover photo and ensuring that all of his aspirations were incorporated. Examples include living in the community with other young adults with similar needs to his own and finding a job. His mum also worked very hard to make sure the plan reflected Andre as a person: his history, his needs and her hopes for him in the future.

The end result has been that Andre’s EHCP reflects achievable Outcomes related to preparing Andre for adulthood and the provision that is essential to enable him to achieve these Outcomes.

With thanks to Treloar School www.treloar.org.uk www.progressmagazine.co.uk

The Beeches UK Ltd ASD • Learning Disability Challenging Behaviour • EBD The Beeches UK Ltd has been in existence for 12 years providing two Specialist Residential Care homes for children with learning disabilities and associated challenging behaviour with bespoke holistic care.

Here at Encompass we pride ourselves on offering a range of supportive services, which are tailored

Our Specialist School has been providing tailored individual tuition for 2 years. Our Supported Living domiciliary care agency has been assisting previous Beeches residents for 3 years.

to your individual needs and assist your transition into independent living.

Based in Dorset, we provide a whole host of services from dedicated Respite and Day Care, through to Residential Care and Support in Your Own Home. We are here to

• 10-18 Residential Care • 10-18 SEN Specialist School • 18+ Supported Living

support you through any part of your care programme, to any degree that you require.

For more information, please call Denise Grayston on 01733 344448, email denise@beechesuk.co.uk or visit us at www.beechesuk.co.uk The Beeches & The Maples Residential Care Homes.

The Beeches Independent School & Option One Care.

All located in Peterborough , Cambridgeshire.

www.beechesuk.co.uk

We will support you the way you want us to!

So, if you would like to discuss any of our services in more detail, please contact...

www.encompassdorset.co.uk T 01305 267 483 | E info@encompassdorset.co.uk Company Number: 2526640 | Registered Charity Number: 1003779

Our support is different for each person as we design it around their individual needs and wishes.

We will work with you, your family and other people important in your life, to make sure we get this right for you.

We can support you to live in your own home, with other people or when you are out and about. We can support you for a few hours a week to 24 hours each day.

We will help you build your skills to become more confident and independent so that you can make choices about everything that affects your life and puts you in control.

0800 0884 377 United Response is an award winning charity and has been supporting young people and adults with a wide range of needs and disabilities for over 40 years.

get.support@unitedresponse.org.uk www.unitedresponse.org.uk/get-support Registered Charity No. 265249

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

17

Camping

LAST

MINUTE

HOLIDAYS SUMMER IS FAST APPROACHING

Summer is on its way and with it comes those lovely longer days, outdoor activities and thoughts of organising a holiday. But if you’ve left it too late to book, or a longhaul flight feels like a bit too much hassle, it may be the perfect excuse to try something different this year and be inspired by our tips on alternative last minute breaks, excursions and day trips.

One of the best ways to make the most of the great British countryside has got to be pitching up a tent under the stars. However, the nature of camping can sometimes mean that you need to cope with fairly limited facilities which can be off-putting. Before choosing and booking a site, it is always advisable to contact the campsite directly to discuss your needs. The site may have accessible facilities or be able to offer you specialist equipment, if you don’t have any, such as house tents or large rectangular tents with full-size doors that you can take a wheelchair through.

Just like your home life, your holiday should be all about choices.

Your holiday should be as fun, relaxing or adventurous as you want it to be. There are specialist campsites which cater for additional needs, such as Woodlarks camping site, which is a charity dedicated to providing a permanent campsite for people with disabilities of all ages. The site provides a heated swimming pool nestled in a sheltered valley, a zip wire (if you’re feeling brave) a trampoline and other sports equipment.

Their facilities also include ceiling hoists, wet rooms and two sleeping rooms with electronically adjustable beds. Seven of the week-long camps are open to everyone, depending on age, and the other weeks during the camping season (from April to September) are booked by special needs schools and groups. Visit www.woodlarks.org.uk for more information.

Just like your home life, your holiday should be all about choices. Your holiday should be as fun, relaxing or adventurous as you want it to be.

18

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

If you have a little time to look around for the kind of break that you really want then there are some great alternatives to the annual sun, sea and sand holiday.

Caravanning Whilst a caravan can offer freedom and flexibility in terms of where you can travel, standard caravans can be restricting in layout if you have mobility needs and may bring a range of issues that should be considered before booking. Wheelchair accessible caravans are a necessity and not a luxury so the following things may be helpful to consider whilst you are looking for a suitable site.

Mobility needs Look out for whether the caravan site is steep, look at the approach and any outside areas. Check for wheelchair access to toilets and shower blocks, if ramps are provided and how wide the paths are. What is the level of traffic around the site, are there any dropped curbs, and are roads tarmac or gravel?

Visually impaired Although many caravan sites welcome guide dogs, it is always worth checking if they are allowed. Are documents available in Braille and how well lit is the site during both the day and night?

Hearing impaired Is there a hearing loop system installed? Does the venue play background music in communal areas?

Accommodation guide Check the position of fixtures and fittings, have the hob and sink been lowered? Is there an electric ceiling track hoist? How about the bathroom facilities - is there a wheel-in shower or railed bathroom and is there room for assisted bathing?

Something different?

If you have a little time to look around for the kind of break that you really want then there are some great alternatives to the annual sun, sea and sand holiday.

be issued. The big festivals, such as V Festival, Glastonbury and Latitude, all have information on their websites about catering to additional needs.

A festival

Sailing

Many of the UK’s big music festivals provide facilities and staff to assist people with additional needs. These include accessible toilets and campsites, parking for disabled customers, viewing platforms and welfare support.

‘Planning ahead is the key to staying safe and healthy during your festival,’ says Suzanne Bull, Chief Executive of Attitude is Everything. The charity works to improve deaf and disabled people’s access to live music by working in partnership with audiences, artists and the music industry.

‘Disabled people are used to planning their outings, but getting ready for a music festival is like planning for a military operation,’ says Bull.

Nothing should be left to chance, from looking up on-site facilities before you go, to packing the right clothes and equipment.

The best point of reference is the event’s website. A free PA/ companion ticket may sometimes

For those after some action and adventure, the Jubilee Sailing Trust is a charity whose mission is to promote the integration of people of all physical abilities through the challenge and adventure of tall ship sailing aboard two ships named The Lord Nelson and Tenacious. To enquire, visit www.jst.org.uk

Day Trips Day trips are a brilliant way of seeing lots of different places throughout the year and experiencing a range of activities.

Trips’n’Treats is a service which, for a fee, will take you on day trips to museums, seaside destinations, shopping centres, sensory gardens, exhibition centres and theatres. It is a service which can be tailored to meet individual needs. For more information visit www.tripsntreats.co.uk or email tripsandtreats@hotmail.co.uk

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

19

Coach Holidays

Action and adventure

If you’re registered disabled and fancy exploring the British Isles, then a National Express Disabled Coachcard offers a great way to save a third on standard fares to hundreds of UK towns, cities and airports.

The card costs just £10 (plus £2 delivery) a year.

So whether you’re after a weekend city break or a different type of day trip, the majority of their fleet now have a passenger lift at the front entrance of the coach.

If you use a wheelchair or have reduced mobility, it is advisable to phone at least 36 hours before travelling so that your travel requirements can be fully assessed, call 08717 818181 or visit www.nationalexpress. com/waystosave/disabledcoachcards.aspx

The Calvert Trust offers funpacked holidays for people with physical, learning, behavioural and sensory disabilities. With three centres in the UK, Exmoor, Kielder and Lake District, you are guaranteed fun-filled activities thanks to their extensive specialist equipment and desire to challenge disability through outdoor adventure.

Calvert Trust Exmoor, for example, is an award-winning centre which has highly experienced instructors who are specially trained to work with disabled people. Accommodation, activities and all meals are included in the holiday and you can choose from horse riding, rock climbing, zip wire, canoeing and much more. For more information visit www.calverttrust.org.uk/exmoor

How to find what you’re looking for There are numerous resources on the internet that can provide listings of holiday settings which cater to your needs. It is always advisable to phone and check that your individual needs can be met comfortably before you book your break.

FUN FILLED HOLIDAYS FOR ADULTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES

Beeches Lodge at Portland College

Room Rates include Breakfast:

Kingsize £57.00 | Twin £57.00 | Triple/Family £77.00

Beeches Lodge is a unique bed and breakfast facility, open to members of the general public, which forms part of Portland College, a specialist college for people with disabilities, situated in a forty acre campus which is part of Sherwood Forest, at the heart of the East Midlands.

At Beeches Lodge we provide luxurious, spacious and confortable rooms for our guests. We have utilised our 60 years experience of working with people with disabilities to ensure an accessible and welcoming stay for all.

When designing our bedrooms, the utmost care and attention to detail has been taken to ensure that the rooms are furnished to the highest standards and include: • En-suite shower rooms (overhead hoists available in some rooms - please specify when booking if this is a requirement) • Remote control, flat screen TV For more information or to book, please contact Rachael Hensleigh on 01623 499105 or via email: rachaelhensleigh@portland.ac.uk

www.portland.ac.uk

01623 499199

Nottingham Road, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, NG18 4TJ

20

A fantastic fun filled destination on the east coast for adults with learning disabilities.

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

Our holiday packages offer something for all our guests giving you the opportunity to see the sights, heritage and excitement that Lincolnshire and the seaside has to offer.

01754 763 941 or visit www.oceaneer.co.uk Call us now on

DisabledHolidays.com is the UK’s largest specialist travel agency and can be useful if you have a number of particular additional needs as a third party company can ensure they will be met.

Good Access guide is also a good place to visit as the UK’s leading directory of services for those with additional needs. It features a comprehensive list of easily accessible places for day visits or longer holidays such as holiday lettings, city and spa hotels, B&Bs and camping and caravan holidays. For more information phone 0845 058 8059 or visit www.goodaccessguide. co.uk

There are numerous resources on the internet that can provide listings of holiday settings which cater to your needs.

Helsey House Holiday Cottages Helsey House Helsey Nr Hogsthorpe, Skegness PE24 5PE Telephone: 01754 872 927 E-mail: info@HelseyCottages.co.uk

Helsey House Cottages are situated within the private grounds

of Helsey House in the hamlet of Helsey near Hogsthorpe on the North East Lincolnshire coast. They are single storey and on one level with no steps. Free wi-fi access.

Each award winning cottage has been converted from original cattle stalls belonging to the dairy farm. They have been furnished to the highest standard whilst maintaining original features and character of the buildings. There is ample parking in the grounds. The owners live on site so are available for help and advice.

AVAILABLE FACILITIES: • We can arrange for groceries to be available on arrival • We have a wheelchair and a shower wheelchair available for guests’ use. A toilet seat riser and bed risers are also available.

• An Oxford midi 150 mobile hoist is available for guests’ use.

• Both cottages have laminated flooring for ease of mobility and are on one level.

The Cow Shed

• A laundry room with a washer, sink with hot and cold water, tumble dryer and an iron and ironing board are all available.



Revitalise provide 5,000 high quality respite breaks a year for disabled people and their carers.

Visit www.revitalise.org.uk for more information.

Calvert Trust Exmoor enables people of any age and any disability to experience exciting, challenging, and enjoyable accessible activity holidays with family and friends.

At our five star, fully accessible residential centre on the edge of Exmoor National Park all activities and facilities are specifically designed and equipped to cater for everyone.

Stay with us for a few days, a week, or just for the day; however long you’re here you’ll discover it's what you CAN do that Counts!

• Pets are welcome. We have our own free range chickens with fresh eggs for you to purchase.

The Dairy

www.helseycottages.co.uk @HelseyCottages

01598 763221 exmoor@calvert-trust.org.uk  

21



www.progressmagazine.co.uk

Using b o j a d n i f o t Where do I start?

22

Employers have a legal obligation under the Equality Act 2010 not to discriminate against disabled people during all aspects of the recruitment process, from the initial application to the interview. This means that whatever your disability, you should have confidence in your skills and what you can offer an employer.

You can start with anywhere you think you would like to work or you can target diversity-friendly employers. Many will display the two-ticks symbol which means they are positive about employing people with additional needs.

Think about what you feel happy doing most. If you have a hobby which you’d love to turn into a career then that’s a great place to start but another way to find a job that suits you is to match it with your skills. Are you good with people? Do you like busy atmospheres or quieter environments? Do you like problem-solving or are you more creative?

Whichever career you choose, these tips from Progress are designed to help you make the most of social media to find that job you’ve always

wanted.

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

Make yourself known

Promoting yourself may not come naturally to you but the most subtle way is to make the most of those profile and ‘about me’ sections of your social media accounts. Be sure to include your skills and put key words as your interests so that any potential employers who may glance at your page notice what you are trying to tell them.

If you have a hobby which you’d love to turn into a career then that’s a great place to start but other ways to find a job that suits you is to match it with your skills.

If you want your social media to be about your private life and kept separate from your work life then that is completely your choice – you may want to set up a separate account just for finding a job. If you want to get in touch with businesses through social media then try to think of the best ways to do this and make useful contacts as you go.

Think about your profile photo and any other media you upload to your social media accounts. If you’re not sure you would want your future employer to see your latest photos then you may not want to upload them.

Shop there regularly but don’t know how to get your foot in the door? Love their books but haven’t a clue where to find their latest job vacancies? The world of work can seem like an unknown one for anyone, whether you are looking for your very first job or changing career.

Despite its name and people thinking it’s just for making and staying in touch with friends, social media is also helping people in their work life too. It can help you to make contact with businesses that you might not know how else to get in touch with. More than half of employers (54%) use social media in their recruitment process according to a recent survey by Careerbuilder.co.uk so it’s time to get yourself noticed.

Twitter

It makes sense to follow people who work in the organisation you are interested in and introduce yourself. Showing a specific and genuine interest in their company will always be seen as a positive, especially if there are no current vacancies with them.

And if you have made the right impression on first contact, they may think of you when a future vacancy crops up. This will also let you spot any opportunities as they may put things on Twitter before they put them on their website. It may also lead you onto other contacts which you may never have known about.

Plus it can feel pretty good if they follow you back!

But don’t get too carried away with the click of the follow button – tailor your search and don’t just follow everybody and anybody who is linked to the industry you want to work in. Following 500 more people than the next person won’t necessarily mean that you are more likely to find your dream job and don’t forget that it’s not a popularity contest.

Some companies now have their own separate Twitter accounts to list their job vacancies so make sure you are following those accounts to be alerted about jobs as soon as they are advertised.

Make use of those hashtags (#) to search for topics of interest and to make your tweets more visible to the people you are trying to reach. For example #prjobs or #salesjobs.

Once you have made contact, don’t hassle them and remember that even though you are following them they are not your friends, so try to be professional even though you are not yet their employee.

@ p r o g r e s s _ m a g

Facebook

Facebook is probably the most social platform of all of them but this can be used to your advantage.

‘Like’ companies that you are interested in and use your Facebook page to let your friends and family know what kind of job you are looking for.

If things pop up on their news feeds that may be of interest to you then the chances are that they will share it with you (through the simple click of a button) and introduce you to a new contact or opportunity.

Try to always keep your status updated and relevant and keep yourself easy to spot for people who may be looking. If the level of privacy is a concern to you then you can still make yourself known on Facebook but you may have to actively search for people or companies more than on any other social media platform.

Facebook Marketplace is a relatively new feature on Facebook which

provides you with current job listings. It works by letting you search just like you would on any other job site.

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

23

LinkedIn

Probably the only networking event you will get to attend from the comfort of your sofa in your pyjamas, LinkedIn is a professional networking site that helps you discover future employment connections. Think of it as an online CV and a professional platform, not a social platform. This means that LinkedIn can be the easiest place to highlight your skills, career history and educational background. When you request to connect with someone, try to remember to opt for a personal message instead of the automated message that LinkedIn will send to the other person as this will always give a better impression.

Set up your own blog

Your own blog is a great way to get across exactly what you want people to know about you and express yourself your way. If you want to get into fashion then showing future employers that you love spending your free time writing or reading about the subject is the best way to demonstrate your passion.

Always include links on your social media to your professional website or blog if you have one and a link to your CV. Having a blog which stands out from the crowd is also a great way to show future employers who the real you is – something which can be difficult to get across during an interview.

Your own blog is a great way to get across exactly what you want people to know about you and express yourself your way.

www.ktmcare.co.uk KTM Care Ltd is an Autism Specific Care Service with extensive experience within the Triad of Impairment + 2

We are here to help you with…

• Gaining a home of your own or support within the family home • Support and guidance around personal hygiene • Training in Independent Living skills

• Support to build meaningful friendships / networks of support • Access the local community and aid independence

• Work together to form a flexible Support Plan to help you achieve your goals and dreams

We assist people on the Autistic Continuum to gain independence by supporting them to enhance their skills in Social Interaction, Social Communication and Flexible thinking styles from 8 years and upwards

info@ktmcare.co.uk • ktmcare.co.uk www.facebook.co.uk/ktmcareltd

01376 571152

Media House, 3 Threshelfords Business Park, Inworth Road, Feering, Essex, CO5 9SE

24

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

Providing Specialist support and long-term solutions

Providing high quality and long-term solutions for adults with severe learning disabilities, autism and challenging behaviour.

We provide 24 hour care and housing with a 2:1 staff ratio where needed, for individuals with complex needs, severe autism and challenging behaviour.

We assist service users with all aspects of personal, medical and daily care.

Scenario Management support service users to access the community.

Scenario Management 01253 869317 - Contact us for information Barbara O’Donnell

07773 718615 - barbara@smcare.co.uk Caroline O’Donnell

07525 688511 - caroline@smcare.co.uk

Where to go for help Schemes such as Access to Work can provide a grant towards additional employment costs incurred by disabled people in, or entering, paid employment.

Doing Careers Differently is a guide which covers education, training, mentoring, personal development, internships, interviews, networking and what to do about disclosing a disability to an employer. The guide outlines equality legislation around employment, but also explains how to deal with difficult situations and difficult people day to day, without having to resort to the law. It also signposts you to useful websites, schemes and people to contact. Visit www.radar. org.uk/how-we-can-help/publications/doinglife-differently-series/doing-careers-differently to download your own copy.

Evenbreak is an online job site that matches disabled job seekers with employers. Visit www.evenbreak. co.uk for more information.

When used in the right way, social media gives you a visibility and impact that a paper CV in an envelope

may not be able to compete with. If you are active across several platforms of social media then ensure they are all linked together by posting links to one on another. This also ensures your posts will get noticed.

But remember not to completely neglect the more traditional routes to finding a job – if you still feel unsure about where to start with the world of work then you can use your social media accounts to find suitable recruitment agencies. That way you can let them do the searching for you.

Accessing the internet Social networking may not be easy for everybody.

Due to possible issues accessing computers and completing a registration process to set up your own account, you may find you need some help getting started. If there is a particular website that you can’t access because of your disability, Fix the Web have a team of volunteers who make contact with the web owners to explain the issue and raise awareness. Visit www.abilitynet.org.uk for more information.

Making a will or setting up a trust that includes a loved one with a learning disability can seem daunting. With Mencap’s expertise, it needn’t be.

Mencap’s free wills and trusts seminars provide parents and carers with specialist legal advice to help you protect the financial future of a loved one with a learning disability.

The seminars run throughout the year across England, Northern Ireland and Wales and are an opportunity to access face-to-face advice from a specialist legal professional.

To book a place or to order a free information pack, please contact:

Planning for the future of a loved one with a learning disability.

@

0207 696 6925 willsandtrusts@mencap.org.uk www.mencap.org.uk/willsandtrusts

Registered charity number 222377 (England and Wales); SC041079 (Scotland)

2015.116_Progress Magazine May 185x130.indd 1

2015.116

25

15/04/2015 16:46

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

26

Natspec

natspec

Natspec, the Association of National Specialist Colleges, is the membership organisation for specialist colleges that provide education for students with more complex learning difficulties or disabilities. Colleges offer personalised programmes and individual support to help young people prepare for adult life, including: • Skills to live more independently or to manage or direct care support.

Celebrating 30 years • 1985 - 2015

• Work experience and volunteering that increase employment options.

The Association of National Specialist Colleges 1 Beaumont College

• Getting involved in the community and travelling independently, where possible.

• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Royal College Manchester 16

We have a directory of colleges which can also be viewed online at www.natspec.org.uk

Henshaws College 7

* Map is for illustrative purposes only.

Communication Specialist College – Doncaster 4 5 Derwen College

Hesley Group - Fullerton House College 8 AALPS North 12

17 The Royal National

College for the Blind RNIB College Loughborough 15

14 Parkanaur College

Homefield College 9 Sense College 18 3 Coleg Elidyr

Calthorpe Vocational Centre 2 11 National Star College

Westgate College 21

20 WESC Foundation – The Specialist

Centre for Visual Impairment

10 Minstead Training Project 6 The Fortune Centre of Riding Therapy

Orchard Hill College 13 Treloar College 19

Need help choosing the right specialist college for you? visit www.natspec.org.uk

Beaumont College offers day and residential programmes to young people aged between 18 and 25 with a broad range of physical and /or learning disabilities.

Our aim is to enable students to take responsibility for their lives in whichever form this takes and to realise their dreams in the safest way possible.

Beaumont College

Slyne Road, Lancaster LA2 6AP Tel: 01524 541400 • E-mail: admissions@beaumontcollege.org Web: www.beaumontcollege.ac.uk

1

Coleg Elidyr is a specialist college set within 180 acres of beautiful countryside in West Wales. We provide further education and training for young people aged 18-25 with a wide range of learning difficulties and disabilities, including autistic spectrum conditions.

Learners follow their own personalised learning goals and our extensive facilities include a working farm, kitchen gardens, shop, bed and breakfast, and craft workshops.

Our aim is to foster the development of the whole human being in order that each individual will develop the self-confidence to lead a richer, more independent life.

Coleg Elidyr

Rhandirmwyn, Nr Llandovery, Carmarthenshire SA20 0NL Tel: 01550 760400 E-mail: admissions@colegelidyr.ac.uk • Web: www.colegelidyr.ac.uk

3

Calthorpe Vocational Centre is a dynamic, full-time day provision, preparing 19-25 year old SEN students for Employment and Independent Living.

Our supported vocational work placements develop the key skills required by employers.

As a result we have secured paid employment for our students in key businesses and organisations, such as the Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

Students are running profitable businesses, generating websites, fitness programmes and gaining vocational and functional skills accreditations.

Calthorpe Vocational Centre

19a Cato Street, Nechells, Birmingham B7 4TS Tel: 0121 359 1714 • E-mail: cvc@calthorpe.bham.sch.uk Web: www.calthorpevc.org.uk

2

Our individualised learning environment offers a unique approach to learners who are deaf/hearing impaired and have specific communication and language needs.

Our individualised learning environment offers a unique approach to learners who are deaf/hearing impaired and have specific communication and language needs. We cater for all abilities and learning style, offering pathways to suit every ambition. Pathways include: Life, Work and Living and encompass a choice of day or residential provision.

We cater for all abilities and learning styles, offering pathways to suit every ambition.

Pathways include: Life, Work and Living and encompass a choice of day or residential provision.

To arrange a visit please contact us on: 01302 386 700 Email: marketing@ddt-deaf.org.uk or go to our website: www.deaf-trust.co.uk

To arrange a visit please contact us on: 01302 386 700

Communication Specialist College Doncaster

Email: or go to our website: Leger Way,marketing@ddt-deaf.org.uk Doncaster DN2 6AY Tel: 01302 386 700 E-mail: admissions@ddt-deaf.org.uk Web: www.deaf-college.co.uk

www.deaf-trust.co.uk

Communication Specialist College Doncaster

Leger Way, Doncaster DN2 6AY Tel: 01302 386 700 E-mail: admissions@ddt-deaf.org.uk • Web: www.deaf-college.co.uk

4

Derwen College is one of the largest specialist further education colleges in the country. It has been graded “Outstanding” at its last two consecutive inspections.

The college provides supported living and day provision to over 230 students and trainees with a wide range of learning difficulties & disabilities, including autistic spectrum conditions. The college’s specialism is personalised learning in real work environments. These could be in the wider community or on campus in our own shops, eateries, gardens, studios, offices, kitchens, workshops, small animal units or car valeting and recycling facilities. Learners are supported to lead the life they want and to be as independent as they can be.

The Fortune Centre of Riding Therapy is situated over 3 sites in the New Forest and runs a residential 3 year course for students between the ages of 16 and 25 who have a range of learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

Derwen College

The Fortune Centre of Riding Therapy

5

Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 3JA Tel: 01691 661234 E-mail: enquiries@derwen.ac.uk • Web: www.derwen.ac.uk

Henshaws College is a national further education college in Harrogate for young people aged 16-25 with a wide range of disabilities and additional support needs.

We offer every student an individually tailored curriculum focused on personal and social development, independence and employability. Our specialist staff support day and residential students to achieve their personal goals and aspirations for the future.

Disability support services including therapies and assistive technologies, subject to funding, can be included as part of a wider package to maximise the progress each individual can achieve.

The course has been developed to encompass a range of essential life, basic & social skills, riding, vaulting & horse care. Each student has an individual programme which is personalised according to their needs, aspirations and expectations. Opportunities to learn & practise these skills are embedded in naturally occurring, practical activities using the motivating medium of the horse where possible.

Avon Tyrrell, Bransgore, Christchurch BH23 8EE Tel: 01425 673 297 • Fax: 01425 674 320 E-mail: admissions@fcrt.ac.uk • Web: www.fortunecentre.org

6

Wilsic Hall College and Fullerton House College are specialist residential services offering flexible education, care and enablement for young adults aged 18 to 25. All the young people using our colleges have complex needs including behaviour that may challenge and a learning disability, often in association with autism.

The colleges’ mission is to support young adults with their transition into adult life by focusing on their specific needs, capabilities and aspirations.

“He is growing up, becoming much more confident and independent when he comes home.” - Parent

Henshaws College

Bogs Lane, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG1 4ED Tel: 01423 886451 E-mail: admissions@henshaws.ac.uk • Web: www.henshaws.ac.uk

7

Homefield College is a relatively small Independent Specialist College (and a charity) that provides provision for individuals with a range of learning difficulties. The majority of students are on the autistic spectrum.

The college is located within the village, between Leicester and Loughborough, and accessing the community and its facilities are key aspects of the students’ learning at Homefield.

‘Achievement through experience’

Homefield College

42 St Mary’s Road, Sileby, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE12 7TL Tel: 01509 814827 • E-mail: enquiries@homefieldcollege.ac.uk Web: www.homefieldcollege.ac.uk

9

Hesley Group Independent Specialist Colleges

Doncaster, South Yorkshire Tel: 0800 055 6789 • E-mail: referralenquiries@hesleygroup.co.uk Web: www.hesleygroup.co.uk

8

Take your next step towards independent living at Minstead Training Trust, where students achieve through our emphasis on learning by doing. Choose between transitional residential care and supported living in our beautiful, spacious rural setting.

Our inspirational, highly trained staff are waiting to welcome you. On-site day opportunities provide work-based skills, health and well-being, independent living, with nationally accredited qualifications – and plenty of opportunity to make friends and have fun!

Minstead Training Trust

Minstead Lodge, Lyndhurst, Hampshire, SO43 7FT Tel: 02380 812 297 • E-mail: lucio.defeo@minsteadtt.org Web: www.minsteadtt.org

10

Options Adolescent to Adult Life Preparation Services (AALPS) National Star is an outstanding specialist college (Ofsted 2012). We provide personalised learning and transition services for people with complex physical, learning, sensory, communication and acquired disabilities. We also have a specialist curriculum for learners with ASD. All learners have an Individualised Programme delivered by their own specialist multidisciplinary team which focuses on achieving personal goals and transition after college. Specialist staff support learners to develop and practice skills which will increase their confidence and future independence.

National Star College

Ullenwood, Cheltenham, Glos, GL53 9QU Tel: 01242 527631 • Email: admissions@natstar.ac.uk Website: www.natstar.ac.uk

11

Orchard Hill College is an Outstanding non-residential specialist College offering educational opportunities for students over 16 years old with learning difficulties.

Based in Surrey and South London, our 5 Centres offer tailored education to students with a range of abilities on courses including Building Skills for Independence, Into Work, Traineeship, and Enrichment.

Orchard Hill College: Where students can learn and achieve.

Orchard Hill College

Tel: 0345 402 0453 • E-mail: enquiries@orchardhill.ac.uk Web: www.orchardhill.ac.uk • Twitter: @OHC_College

13

Located in North Lincolnshire, Worcestershire and North Wales our NAS accredited Transition Services support people aged 16+ with Autism, Asperger Syndrome, learning disabilities and complex needs.

Part of our Options Autism journey of care, each service benefits from extensive facilities and highly experienced staff teams focused on developing strategies that help people achieve their best, using person centred approaches and individual programmes, with daily support from our onsite clinical teams.

Options Group

Winterton Road, Roxby, North Lincolnshire DN15 0BJ Tel: 01789 767800 E-mail: info@optionsgroup.co.uk • Web: www.optionsgroup.co.uk

12

Parkanaur College is a residential college committed to promoting equally the vocational education and personal development of people with a range of learning difficulties and disabilities. The College aims, within a residential setting, to provide the opportunity for people with disabilities to bridge the gap and facilitate the transition between school or the sheltered home environment, to employment and independent living accommodation.

Students are offered a range of courses aimed at providing access to a variety of nationally recognised qualifications, vocational training and work experience. The College currently offers OCN qualification in General Administration, Horticulture, Catering and Hospitality and Assembled and Upholstered Furniture Production.

Parkanaur College

57 Parkanaur Road, Dungannon, Co Tyrone BT70 3AA Tel: 028 8776 1272 • E-mail: parkanaurcollege@btopenworld.com Web: www.parkanaurcollege.org.uk

14

Join us and you will learn in enterprises such as our Cafeteria, eBay shop, Arts Centre, College Shop and Office.

RNIB College Loughborough

Radmoor Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 3BS Tel: 01509 611077 E-mail: enquiries@rnibcollege.ac.uk • Web: www.rnibcollege.ac.uk

15

The Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) is the UK’s leading residential specialist college of further education for people aged 16 to 65 with a visual impairment.

Offering academic and vocational courses to suit all tastes, every student has a personalised study programme and receives tailored support with independent living, mobility and IT skills, depending upon their needs.

Our excellent curriculum provides an extensive range of learning opportunities, carefully matched to students’ needs and supported by onsite therapy, medical and inclusive sports facilities and community learning activities.

Royal College Manchester at Seashell Trust

Seashell Trust, Stanley Road, Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire SK8 6RQ Tel: 0161 610 0100 E-mail: info@seashelltrust.org.uk • Web: www.seashelltrust.org.uk

16

Sense Specialist College is an Independent Specialist College, operating in the East Midlands and East of England across 9 sites. It is part of the national “Sense” parent organisation, a registered charity and company limited by guarantee, for deafblind people.

Places are still available for September 2015 starters, just get in touch.

The College has its own deafblind specialist curriculum which identifies 4 phases of development across 5 domains; Communication, Conceptual & Sensory, Movement, Mobility & Orientation, Personal & Social Development and World of Work. Individual pathways are followed depending on the individual’s desired destination.

The Royal National College for the Blind (RNC)

SENSE

17

Treloar College offers education and care to students with complex physical disabilities from 16 to 25 years of age. Education ranges from interactive and sensory classes, creative and enterprise courses to vocational studies.

Our unique partnership with Alton College enables students to access a full range of A Level and BTEC courses at a mainstream provision. We combine health, care and education to enable students to realise their full potential and long term goals whilst getting the most out of life.

Treloar College

Holybourne, Alton, Hampshire GU34 4GL Tel: 01420 547425 E-mail: admissions@treloar.org.uk • Web: www.treloar.org.uk

19

18

50 Forder Way, Cygnet Park, Hampton PE7 8FD Tel: 01733 425053 • E-mail: jo.loubser@sense.org.uk Web: www.sense.org.uk

WESC Foundation – The Specialist Centre for Visual Impairment is a day and residential centre of excellence for learners with sight loss and additional needs.

ELW

Venns Lane, Hereford, HR1 1DT Tel: 01432 376 621 • E-mail: info@rnc.ac.uk Web: www.rnc.ac.uk

The college provides further education and independence training for young people preparing them for the transition into living in the community. We offer a personalised programme of academic and vocational learning on our All-Year-Round (52 weeks) programme which is supported by a wide range of work experience opportunities.

“WESC is good” Ofsted care inspection February 2015

WESC Foundation

Countess Wear, Exeter, Devon EX2 6HA Tel: 01392 454235 • E-mail: kgaulton@wescfoundation.ac.uk Web: www.wescfoundation.ac.uk

20

ADVERTISE YOUR NATSPEC COLLEGE

Part of The John Townsend Trust

“We educate and care for d/Deaf children and young people or young people with

“We educate and care for d/Deaf children and young people or young people with communication difficulties, who may have additional needs, for a positive future within communication difficulties, who may have additional needs, for a positive future within workand andtheir theircommunities” communities” work

Westgate College is an independent specialist college offering day provision for Westgate College independent specialist college offering residential and day or have learners aged from is19anyears old. Learners attending the college are d/Deaf provision for learners aged from many 19 years old. additional Learners attending theand college are d/Deaf communication difficulties, have learning physical disabilities, additional learning and physical or havehealth communication difficulties many have mental and associated challenging behaviours.

Communication modes include disabilities, mental health andsymbols associated speech, BSL, SSE, PECS andchallenging objects of behaviours. reference. Communication

modes include speech, BSL, SSE, PECS symbols and objects of reference.

Westgate College, College Westgate

Contracts&&MIS MISOfficer, Officer,Westgate Westgate College, Victoria Road, Margate, Contracts College, Victoria Road, Margate, KentKent CT9CT9 1NB1NB Tel: admissions@westgate-college.org.uk Tel: 01843 01843227561 227561E-mail: • E-mail: admissions@westgate-college.org.uk Web: Web:www.westgate-college.org.uk www.westgate-college.org.uk

21

RIGHT HERE For more information please contact Sue Speaight on 01223 206 962 or E-mail sue.speaight@carechoices.co.uk

Need help choosing the right specialist college for you?

10 0

28

m

visit www.natspec.org.uk

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

381/N381

We support students with a wide range of disabilities to achieve their goals. We are a small, friendly college where each member of staff wants to support and empower each student to achieve their full potential.

Royal College Manchester at Seashell Trust is an outstanding day and residential college. We have a unique focus and specialism around communication and offer three programmes: multi-sensory support, autism support and an entry level programme. Students make outstanding progress in their communication, independence and work skills.

ELW

RNIB College Loughborough is part of RNIB, the largest sight loss charity in the UK.

381/N381

KING A M

ELC

ELC

MOBILITY

E SSIBL

E

A

CC

News just in that the Royal London Society for Blind People (RLSB) and digital product studio, Ustwo have created a new app to allow blind people to navigate the tube independently. This has inspired Progress to take a look at all the ways that enable you to be as mobile as possible.

381/N381

ELC

ELC

ELW

At the moment, the app, Wayfindr has only been tested at Pimlico tube station but Transport for London hopes to eventually see it in all London Underground stations.

@ p r o g r e s s _ m a g

This news highlights that making mobility accessible isn’t just about making it easy to pop down to the shops and get around your local area well enough. It’s really about enabling people with disabilities to gain easy access to all aspects of life.

Whether you want to jet off on an exotic holiday or just feel confident getting to your weekly hobby or social group on your own, there are lots of different ways to help you get mobile and they should all contribute to you living as independent a life as possible.

Getting out and about Cars

Modifications and adaptations to any kind of transport should improve both your comfort and how easy it is to get where you want to go. These days, whether it is a car, a van or a taxi, most vehicles can be adapted for a range of physical disabilities.

If you don’t have the money to buy your own car or would rather not have the responsibility of owning one but you still want to drive, there are lots of options still available.

The Motability Scheme enables disabled people to lease a new car, a scooter or powered wheelchair using a Government funded mobility allowance. Schemes such as these can be useful if you feel your physical needs may change, or increase, over time as a lease tends to last for three years. After this time, you can choose a newer model of car if you would prefer. The fee that you pay with these schemes can sometimes include servicing and maintenance, breakdown assistance and insurance which can take the pressure off you having to organise lots of paperwork on your own. To contact the Mobility Scheme and speak to a customer adviser, phone 0300 456 4566.

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

29

If you already have your own car, you may want to adapt it to meet your needs. These can include:

@ p r o g r e s s _ m a g

Driving adaptations – there are many adaptations which can be made to improve your driving experience.

These include steering aids and pedal modifications, including foot pedals which can be raised or completely replaced with hand controls. Hand controls work as a pushing and pulling device for breaking and acceleration if using pedals is too difficult for you.

Stowage adaptations – these can include a car boot hoist or boot stowage which allow you to store your scooter or powered wheelchair. These types of adaptations can depend on the size of your car which is worth bearing in mind.

Access adaptations – these are designed to help you to get in and out of the car and devices such as swivel seats even allow the whole seat to turn. It is also possible to fit an electric person hoist to the driver’s side of the car.

There are lots of low-floor vehicles in public transport, particularly buses and trams, which also allow the entrance to be wide enough for a wheelchair.

This is a permanent mount fitted into the car with three sections which clip together to make a frame. Because the hoist physically lifts you into the car, it requires little movement to get into and the sling part of the hoist can be left attached to the inside of the door throughout the journey, making getting out of the car at the end of the journey much easier.

30

If you are using a car to get around remember that you may be entitled to a Blue Badge which can provide a range of parking benefits and help you park closer to your destination, whether you are the driver or passenger. To find out if you can have a Blue Badge visit www.gov.uk/apply-blue-badge

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

Buses

If you are disabled you are entitled to a bus pass for free travel. Passes from councils can be used anywhere in England and Wales: • At any time on a Saturday, Sunday or Bank Holiday.

• From 9.30am to 11pm on any other day.

There are lots of low-floor vehicles in public transport, particularly buses and trams, which also allow the entrance to be wide enough for a wheelchair. If you are booking a long distance coach trip or applying for a free bus pass, it is worth mentioning what help you may need whilst you are travelling.

Whilst bus and coach drivers must give reasonable assistance to disabled people with getting on or off the bus, this doesn’t usually include physically lifting passengers or their mobility equipment.

Trains

If you plan to travel by train, it is worth checking with the stations you will be travelling to and from before you travel, to see if they have accessible facilities. Once you are travelling, on mainline trains there will be space for your wheelchair. If you have a power wheelchair, remember to switch it off whilst the train is moving.

If you are disabled you can also apply for a Disabled Person’s Railcard which gives you up to a third off your rail journeys.

Planes

Having additional needs shouldn’t put you off travelling abroad if you want to.

Each airline and airport will have different measures in place to assist you with your journey but if you have a physical, sensory or learning disability then at European airports you have the right to: • Help at specific arrival points, such as terminal entrances, transport interchanges and car parks.

• Help to reach the check-in desk.

• Help with registration once you reach check-in.

• Help with moving through the airport, including to toilets if you need it.

As a disabled person, you can also travel with up to two items of mobility equipment, free of charge, which won’t count as part of your baggage allowance.

If you have a wheelchair you won’t be able to take it on the passenger cabin of the plane, it will be stored in the hold.

Contact the airline you are flying with before you travel to see what help they can provide you with when boarding.

If you need to travel with a companion, personal assistant or carer to support you with daily living tasks, the airline you are travelling with should do their best to make sure you sit next to each other.

Make sure you tell them as soon as possible to ensure that this can happen.

holidays for people with additional needs.

They have experience and knowledge about every aspect of the holiday, however big or small, and can take care of flights, transfers, choosing the right accommodation for your needs and booking suitable excursions.

Visit www.access-travel.co.uk or www.canbedone.co.uk for more information.

If you need to travel with an assistance dog then there are a few rules that need to be followed plus entry requirements.

For more information on this visit www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad/ overview

Transport is very important for everyone so whichever form you use, it is important for you to feel confident.

Some colleges, day centres and support organisations run travel courses which can help you get used to going on trains, using the underground or travelling by bus.

There can be a lot to think about when you are booking a holiday abroad so you may prefer to book through a travel agent who specialises in arranging

These will build your confidence and work you up to travelling on your own if you are used to being accompanied by friends or family.

If you only need occasional help to get around, a scheme such as The National Federation of Shopmobility can lend you manual wheelchairs, powered wheelchairs and powered scooters so that you can visit leisure and commercial facilities within your town, city or shopping centre.

CRELLING HARNESSES LTD 12 Crescent East, Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire FY5 3LJ Telephone: 01253 852298 • Email: info@crelling.com Crelling Harnesses is a friendly family based company offering a full range of seatbelts and harnesses for children and adults with special needs.

Over the years we have designed a large range from simple belts to full harnesses for use on all aspects of special needs equipment including: • • • • •

Vehicle Seats Wheelchairs Stair Lifts Bathing chairs Airplance Seats

www.crelling.com

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

31

Are you getting

?

3TO EASY WAYS SUBSCRIBE

Do you want to know about....

• Options when you leave home?

• Techniques for job interviews?

• Passing your driving test?

• Looking for love?

01223 207770

TODAY!

Call Lines open 8:30am - 5:00pm, Monday - Friday.

Please have your bank details ready.

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

Online at Follow the links to the online subscription form.

Fill out the form below.

Post the completed form to FREEPOST CB398, Royston, SG8 0HF or fax back to 01223 207 108.

32

We will not pass your details to any other organisations or third party.

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

ONE-PAGE PROFILES

Have you heard of one-page profiles? Would you like to know what one is and how you can have your own? Progress sets out what goes into a one-page profile and even has an example for you to copy.

What is a one-page profile?

How to fill in your onepage profile

A one-page profile is a simple, but important, summary of information about a child, family or older person presented on a single piece of paper. It will usually feature your photo and have three or four sections which look at who you are as a person. It helps people get to know who you are and ensure that you are supported by the right person or organisation, in the way you want to be supported.

It can also be a record of what is important to you and what you value most.

The first section of your onepage profile is where you list four to six (or more) characteristics that you have, that you or other people like or admire about you.

They are about the kind of person that you are, not any awards or achievements.

Looking at the good things about yourself can be hard so you may like to ask your friends and family about what they like and admire about you to help get you started.

These profiles are a way to ensure that any care or support you receive is person-centred and, as such, the new Children and Families Act 2014 recommends that all young people going through transition from Year 9 upwards have a one-page profile that is updated annually at their Education Health and Care Plan review.

Looking at the good things about yourself can be hard so you may like to ask your friends and family about what they like and admire about you to help get you started.

When people get to know your qualities and personality, they also start to learn about what is important to you too. One-page profiles also include space to say how you like to spend your time and how other people can connect with you.

Things that you may like to list about yourself could include: • Creative.

• Honest.

• Fun. • Spontaneous.

• Positive.

• Calm.

creative 3 www.progressmagazine.co.uk

33

The next section is ‘what is important to me?’ or ‘what makes me happy?’. A helpful way to get you started on this section may be to think about your everyday morning routine. Once you have seen your regular routine set out in front of you, you may realise that there are small but important things you need to do every day to make you feel ready to start your day.

A helpful way to get you started on this section may be to think about your everyday morning routine.

Also think about how you would feel if you didn’t do these things – this will show how important they are to you, not just in the morning but at any time of the day.

Examples could include: •

•

•

Reading the morning paper with a coffee.

Making sure you have enough time to choose your outfit for the day.

Watching your favourite TV programme with your breakfast.

Following on from your morning routine, think about any favourite hobbies and interests you have – is there anything you always do every week that you really enjoy? Do you have any personal items that you really wouldn’t want to leave home without? As well as things, you can also add people who are important to you on this list.

You may find it helpful to involve your family in this section too as they may think of things that hadn’t occurred to you.

If there is someone you have to see or speak to at least every day or every week then you can add them to this section of your profile.

34

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

You may find it helpful to involve your family in this section too as they may think of things that hadn’t occurred to you. But remember – this is your profile and you decide what is important to you.

The final section of your one-page profile is the ‘how to support me’ section which is often the hardest one to complete. You may know exactly how you want to be supported but it may be a bit more difficult to put into words.

Asking yourself these questions may help to come up with any answers: •

Is there any information about your health that other people need to know in order to support you?

•

If you feel stressed or overwhelmed, what would you like other people to do? What would you like them to know?

• What would other people need to know or do to help you keep your stress levels down?

• How do some people get the best out of you? What do they do differently to other people?

A good way to check that you have the right sort of information on your profile is to imagine that this is the only way someone new can find out who you are, what you like and how you like to live your life.

Do you feel there would be enough information on your profile to let people support you properly and in the way that you want to be supported? If not, look at the profile again and see if there’s anything missing.

Once you have finished your onepage profile, you can start thinking about what to do with it and who to share it with.

you be yourself We’re here to help you do just that. ubu provide high-quality support to people with learning disabilities, challenging behaviour and complex needs.

We put you at the centre of everything we do by listening and acting to help you achieve what you want for yourself. ubu believe that everyone can do great things.

We work to ensure that you have the right opportunities to enjoy a full, independent and active lifestyle.

We provide as much or as little specialised support as you need. ubu can help you to manage your behaviours, improve life skills, gain qualifications and build relationships.

For more information on ubu support and our innovative, person-led model of care, please visit our website:

www.ubu.me.uk

Supporting you in your next move We know that leaving school or college and deciding what to do next can be a bit daunting. However with the right support in place it can also be an exciting time when you can meet new friends, try out new things and plan for your future.

We have experience of supporting young people who have learning disabilities, autism and other needs to move into their first home, either alone or with housemates.

This includes supporting you to: 

Find suitable accommodation and understand your tenancy



Create a person centred support plan based around your interests and goals



Prepare for the move practically and emotionally



Take care of your new home and manage your money

We recently helped Andrew and Aaron to move from a large shared house into their own flat. Both young men felt they were ready to be more independent.

Claire from Voyage Care looked at lots of flats and houses with them until they found the one that ticked all their boxes! Westmoreland Supported Housing Association then arranged accessible tenancy agreements and the excitement of getting ready to move started.

Voyage Care supported them to set up bills, choose who would be supporting them and find out all about activities available in the local area.

Call us on 0800 328 6091 or visit www.voyagecare.com @ p r o g r e s s _ m a g

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

35

How and where can you use one-page profile?

A one-page profile is a great way to introduce yourself to different people from different organisations.

They are an informal way of somebody getting to know you by starting with a positive focus that is about you. You can share it with your manager or colleagues at work or you can share it with any medical professionals that are involved with your care or support. You can also use it if you are starting a new school or college. One-page profiles are a helpful way for people to get to know more about you.

One-page profiles are particularly useful for: • Disabled children and young people if they have complex impairments and don’t have a formal system of communication.

•

Allowing people to tell someone new who they are, what they like and what is important to them by providing a solid starting point to any relationship.

•

People who are being supported by a new organisation or person – this can enable the supporter to get a good idea of who the young person is.

• Employers, if a person is moving into employment or voluntary work.

•

Checking back over to make sure that people still take notice of who somebody is and what they like. They can always be updated as things about a person change.

If you have concerns about sharing personal information, remember the most important thing is that you are the one in control of what you share and what you want people to know about you. You can write your profile on your own or with the help of somebody you trust.

You can also personalise your profile with drawings or pictures or anything that you feel explains who you are as a person and how you’d like to be supported.

If you have concerns about sharing personal information, remember the most important thing is that you are the one in control of what you share and what you want people to know about you.

With thanks to Fiona Bubb at Plan4U and Duncan Bell at Dimensions.

• Children and young people who have lots of different professionals in their life or may move from one setting to another.

•

When a new group of young children come together, one– page profiles are a great way of helping them to get to know each other.

•

Schools, who can take common interests and themes from one-page profiles and work them into school development and the curriculum. For example, if a lot of young people have the same interests then activities to support and encourage these interests can be built into the curriculum.

Here, Progress has included an example of a one-page profile from Helen Baker, Chair of Dimensions.

Each person Dimensions supports, and every staff member, uses a one-page profile. You can use Helen’s as the basis for your profile adding in all the important information about you.

36

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

@ p r o g r e s s _ m a g

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

37

SoLO could be your key to free time and independence SoLO is an established charity, based in the West Midlands, in its fifteenth year of providing meaningful, high quality social and leisure activities for children and adults with a learning disability, during evenings, weekends and in school holidays. Currently delivering services to over 1000 children and adults and recognised as the provider of choice by those in receipt of a personal budget.

We have an upbeat, fun approach to the lives of people with a learning disability, regardless of age or level of need. Our staff and volunteers are highly trained, friendly and caring. We give them on-going training and development to ensure skills are fully up to date. We are regulated by the Care Quality Commission to provide personal care in the home or community setting.

We will work with you to understand your needs and the needs of your loved one that’s right for them and for you. Giving them freedom and independence to embrace everything that life has to offer.

0121 779 3865 www.solihullsolo.org

Traineeship course

at Orchard Hill College Orchard Hill College is an Outstanding specialist College based in Surrey and South London.

Our Traineeship course gives students experience, skills and qualifications for the workplace, enabling them to start their chosen career.

With the expert support of our job coaches, the programme is tailored to each student’s interests, abilities and aims, ensuring a successful work placement and a guaranteed destination.

Placements this year include: Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS FT Places for People Leisure Centres Deen City Farm Beanies Cafe...and many more!

For further details visit our website www.orchardhill.ac.uk or call us on 0345 402 0453

38

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

@ p r o g r e s s _ m a g

i

THIS ISSUE,

Welcome back to our sex and relationships column. Here we answer some of your questions about sex and relationships, so please send them in. Don’t feel embarrassed or too shy – there’s no such thing as a silly question as far as sex or relationships are concerned, and if you’re wondering about it, someone else probably is too.

There’s been a huge rise in the popularity of dating websites/apps, many of which are free. They sound like a good idea – you answer some questions about what you’re looking for, and their website matches you with people who have similar interests. Easy! And it means that you would know a little about the other person before you meet them, so all the awkwardness is taken out of it.

However, there are a few things to consider.

Firstly, you HAVE to be over 18. Secondly, remember that you don’t really know anything about the other person. Their reason for being there might not really be to form a meaningful relationship – they might be looking for something more casual. They might not have been truthful on their profile – would you know if someone was making it up? How? What information are you putting out there?

Some good safety tips: don’t use your full name, and don’t use any photographs that could let people identify where you live, work or study.

The whole point of dating websites is that the people on them usually want to actually meet up, so you must bear that in mind. Does anyone else know who you’re talking to, and what you’re chatting about?

Have you seen any photos of them? Are they saying anything that makes you uncomfortable? If someone

i

we’re talking about dating apps.

starts sending messages that are really sexual, it’s not a good sign. It might sound old fashioned but sex is something that needs trust and communication – which are not things that you will have with someone straight away, even if they seem nice online.

There’s nothing wrong with looking online for a partner for a romantic or sexual relationship (if you’re old enough) and it doesn’t need to be a secret.

A good way of keeping safe is to talk about it with someone you trust. Get them to look at your own profile with you and have them check out anyone you’re talking to. If you start chatting to someone, don’t swap phone numbers or email addresses straight away. If you do think you might like to meet up with someone, talk about it with friends or family and don’t keep secrets about where you’re going or who D you’re meeting. have o you

a qu

Meeting up can be brilliant but also poses risks, so make sure you don’t keep it to yourself!

estion?

Please send in to edit your qu o co.uk – r@progressm estions nothin agazin g there’s e no nee is off limits a . d to be nd choose shy on and th e or two eac . We’ll ey’ll be h time an so you can ask onymous, wh you like atever .

If it’s urgent (or private) you can contact me at gleno@qac.ac.uk and I will email you back, or I can be contacted via the ‘Ask a Sex and Relationships Expert’ forum at www.scope.org.uk

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

39

If you’re at that point in your life where you are considering moving out of your family home or residential college to be more independent, the issues that the move entails are often the same for most young people, whatever their needs.

Moving out and living with friends Progress explores the options for moving out, living independently and what to consider if you choose to live with friends.

If you’re at that point in your life where you are considering moving out of your family home or residential college to be more independent, the issues that the move entails are often the same for most young people,

40

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

whatever their needs. It’s a big step and there are many options to choose from depending on what you want, your needs, support requirements and what is available to you in your local area.

Where do you want to live?

There are lots of ways that you can choose to live.

You can find shared accommodation and choose somewhere you all like together. Or if you already feel settled living where you are on your own, you can advertise for housemates or rent your additional rooms to one of your friends. This option would come with a lot of responsibility, however, as your friends would become your tenants. If you have social care needs that are supported through your local authority then speak with your social worker or case manager first. They can help to assess your needs, help you consider the best level of support and how you can successfully live with your friends and fulfil your care needs at the same time. They may also refer you to the housing department to assist you with your housing needs.

There are a number of different housing types available including supported or group living schemes.

Supported living is housing with access to care and support that offers you control and choice over your own life, one of those choices being who to live with.

With supported living, you may be living in a larger building made up of individual flats or in a shared house. There are some ‘group living’ schemes which offer communal accommodation to small groups of people in a similar situation - a kind of house-share These schemes are mainly for people with learning disabilities and for people with mental health conditions. Group living schemes are run largely by voluntary organisations or housing associations. For more information on these schemes contact your local council’s adult services, housing or social care department.

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

41

Local voluntary and commercial organisations may also offer schemes which provide support services based on a person-centred approach for individuals who already live, or are progressing into, semi-independent living but still need a little help with day to day issues.

These issues may include paying bills, shopping, general cleaning and tidying and cooking. Your local Mencap, Citizen’s Advice Bureau or local authority may be able to put you in touch with organisations that offer these services. The cost of such services can sometimes be met through Personal Budgets or can be funded through private or other funds.

There are also options for families to get involved in helping you to find a home. Some parents are able to help their children buy a home to live in, or invest in a property to help you have your own home.

It may take time

42

Whilst housing is a priority in everybody’s life, sometimes there just isn’t enough housing for everyone. If you are in need of housing assistance from the local authority, those with the highest priority needs will have the first chance to secure the few properties that become available. Depending on where you live now and where you want to live, there may be housing shortages so it is best to contact your housing department who will be able to tell you how long it may take and if there is a waiting list to secure somewhere where you will feel happy living.

They may have or work with a housing brokerage service that can support you to find the right housing and help to put in place everything you need to live independently or with your friends.

If you want to rent or buy independently, the most traditional route is to go through an estate agent. You can pop in and have a chat with someone about the type of property you are looking for and they will take you on any suitable viewings. You can also keep an eye out in your local paper or popular websites such as Gumtree or Housenet.

There are also shared ownership schemes such as HOLD which allow people with a long-term disability to buy a share of a property on the open market. A housing association buys the remaining share and you would pay an amount of rent dependent on how much of the property you own. If you decide to sell the property, the housing association can buy it back and you benefit from any increase in value of your share. Visit www.housingandsupport.org.uk/sharedownership-homebuy-and-hold for more information.

The Housing and Support Alliance website also has a lot of other useful information if you’re looking to live independently, visit www.housingandsupport.org.uk

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

or call the helpline on 0300 201 0455.

Remember your responsibilities If you are living independently, with friends or with support, you may be taking on a tenancy on your own or with them and there are responsibilities that come with it. This includes an agreement which will cover how much the rent will cost, how and when it should be paid and how any maintenance that the property may need will be dealt with.

Understanding your rent is also directly linked to understanding any benefits you may be entitled to and setting out a plan of all your spending and saving. Check whether you are entitled to housing benefit or a Personal Independent Payment, which has replaced the Disability Living Allowance. It is still a non means tested benefit but it now includes regular reassessments to ensure you are always getting the right level of support you need.

You will need to sign a contract when taking on a property. Ensure that you fully understand all the information in the contract, a family member or advocate can help you with this and it is always worth seeking legal advice before signing anything.

The Mencap helpline is a good place to start, you can contact them on 0808 808 1111. Otherwise, your local authority may be able to give you the details of a local advocacy service.

Moving out and living independently can be fantastic, but it is important to look at your options and make sure everything is in place and is right for you.

Living with friends Research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has found that young people with additional needs and their families identify that making and keeping friends is one of the most important aspects of their lives.

This is something which needs to be recognised by services as a way of young people embarking on a more independent and fulfilling life. Once you have decided that the sight of socks strewn across the floor and the occasional odd discovery in the fridge won’t put you off, living with your friends can be one of the most rewarding, fun and empowering experiences of your life.

If you’d like to live with friends you need to think about how it will work. Most people’s friends are a mixed bag of personalities, which often means you turn to different ones for different things. You may have a friend you go to when you need advice, another may be known for always going out and

having fun, or if you need to confide in someone, you’ll probably find it’s the same friend you choose to trust every time. Having different friends is interesting, and important, but you should think carefully about who you would like to share your living space with and spend most of your time with.

The party-goer may be great to spend time with on a Saturday night but you may feel differently about them living in your house!

As fun as sharing a house with your friends can be, living in shared accommodation can sometimes be a challenge. These tips from Progress may help your shared accommodation stay happy and harmonious: • Talk about and plan everything before you agree to move in together.

• Make sure you decide how you will pay your rent and bills and who is responsible for paying them.

• Decide if you need a joint bank account to pay your money into to cover bills.

• Will you all pay the same amount even if someone has a larger bedroom than someone else?

• Have a household kitty (pot of money) for small, basic household items such as milk and bread.

• Draw up a weekly rota for cleaning and tidying all communal areas.

• Decide if it may be best to have individual cupboards or labelled shelves so that there is no issue with people accidentally eating your favourite foods.

• Always respect people’s personal space.

• Weekly or monthly meetings don’t need to be formal and they can be a good way to bring up any issues which may be bothering you.

Having different friends is interesting, and important, but you should think carefully about who you would like to share your living space with and spend most of your time with.

Living with friends is a great way to gain independence and have fun. But make sure you all agree on the process and find housing that is suitable to your needs.

With thanks to Sarah Maguire, Choice Support.

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

43

Take your ‘what ifs’ for a test drive.

Positive Risk Taking How to step out of your comfort zone and into success

‘Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing at all.’

Your dreams matter. Whether you dream of learning to sail, getting a job, moving out of home, or learning to swim, your hopes for the future are important and valuable.

Positive risk taking is a way of thinking about risks and rewards when making the decision to try something new. It looks at the positive outcomes that can come from taking part in new activities, whilst being smart and realistic about managing possible risks.

In a social services setting, positive risk taking is a vital element of ‘person-centred planning,’ – a model of disability service that puts you in charge of your own story.

Every individual has the right to take risks and no-one has the right to stop you choosing what risks you take.

44

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

Positive risk taking is about bringing your parents, service providers and supporting friends along on the journey to reaching your goals.

Positive risk taking is about bringing your parents, service providers and supporting friends along on the journey to reaching your goals.

Facing fears and taking risks can be even harder for them than it is for you, so a positive step-bystep process is a way to make change easier for everyone.

If you ask yourself ‘what are

Helen Keller

the consequences of not taking risks in life?’ the answer will be true for everyone: there will be less change.

There will be less learning, fewer adventures, and less of an ability to handle life’s surprises in the future without taking some controlled risks in the now.

‘You could say that denying an individual’s opportunities to take their own risks is actually depriving them of life experience and learning,’ added Dela Begum, SweetTree Learning Disabilities Service Manager, ‘which means putting them at greater risk of harm in the future.’

Risk can never be completely eliminated from a person’s life but there are a number of ways to positively manage and therefore, embrace risk.

How To: Build a Positive Risk Taking Plan 1. FOCUS ON YOUR STRENGTHS

5. TALK ABOUT THE POSSIBLE RISKS

Before moving toward your new goal, make a note of the things you already do well. Think about your past successes and any times you achieved something you were proud of. This sets up your ‘positive’ outlook.

Make a list of the risks of taking part in your new activity, and be sure that your parents, carers and friends add their ideas too. Getting lost, being injured, becoming frightened, or losing confidence are examples of things that can go wrong when trying something different.

2. RECRUIT YOUR SUPPORT TEAM Goals are the work of a whole team – not just the star striker.

Collect the people who care about you and tell them what you hope to achieve. This might be parents, carers, a friend, or someone in the community with the skills and experience to help you succeed.

3. TALK ABOUT THE REWARDS OF REACHING YOUR GOAL It’s important that you and your supporters understand the benefits of you trying something new.

Benefits might include greater independence, more confidence, new friends, better health, or just fun! With rewards in mind, taking risks can look more worthwhile.

4. LOOK AT THE STEPS What will you need to do to achieve your goal? Break your project into small steps, and break the hardest steps into even smaller ones. Ask experienced people for their advice, and gather as much information as you can.

6. BUILD A PLAN TO MANAGE THE RISKS For each of the risks on your list, think of a way to best manage that challenge. For every ‘what if?’ come up with a ‘what I’ll do’. For example:

each skill. Eventually, practise your ‘what if’s’ in the environment where you will finally face them on your own.

8. TAKE YOUR TIME With positive risk taking, the decisions to move forward are in your control. If you don’t feel ready to move onto a new step, wait until you do. If anyone on your team is uncomfortable about the risks ahead, build-in extra ‘what if’ plans until they are.

By moving slowly through your step-by-step strategy, you’ll realise that even when things do take an unexpected turn, you can make small changes and continue on to your goal – with more knowledge and more life experience.

Q. What if I get lost?

A. I’ll look for a signpost and then call home.

Q. What if there is a fire?

A. I’ll leave the building through the door marked ‘Fire Exit’.

Q. What if I don’t enjoy myself?

A. I’ll be glad for the experience and try something different next time.

Leave no ‘what ifs’ unanswered, and you’ll find that many risks are more manageable than you first imagined.

7. PRACTISE YOUR PLAN Take your ‘what if’s’ for a test drive. Role-play your responses to possible events. Try new tasks at home or with a friend, where you can work on getting stronger at

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

45

POSITIVE RISK TAKING – SEEDS OF SUCCESS!

POSITIVE RISK TAKING – WORKING OUT!

Meet Tom.

Meet Emma.

21 years old and living with full-time assistance, Tom’s goal was to have the confidence and skills to get a volunteer job.

22 years old and living with full-time assistance, Emma’s goal was to build the skills and confidence to visit her local village gym – alone.

At first, Tom’s dad was against the idea, afraid that the risks to his son’s happiness were too great: Tom disliked talking to strangers, he was easily distracted and he was often withdrawn and worried about everything. But Tom was determined to reach his dream, so his SweetTree support team worked with all of his family to follow a positive risk taking strategy.

At first, Emma’s mum was against the idea, afraid that the risks to her daughter’s safety were too great: Emma was not used to travelling on her own, she was easily distracted and she had become lost in the village in the past. But Emma was determined that she wanted her exercise time to herself, so SweetTree worked with all of her family to follow a positive risk taking strategy.

A step-by-step plan was designed to prepare Tom to join the activities at the SweetTree Fields care farm, where he would eventually become part of a team; growing vegetables, tending animals and making independent decisions.

Together, Emma and her supporters built their ‘what if’ plans. They created maps, role-played possible conversations with strangers, practised walking to the gym, went through a ‘shadowing’ process, and found a Buddy Watch for emergency tracking as a final back-up in case Emma was very late to come home and possibly lost.

Over many months, Emma Despite small set-backs gradually achieved each of her along the way, Emma planned steps, and her mum reached her goal because was pleasantly surprised with her progress.

Together, Tom and his supporters built their ‘what if’ plans. They role-played conversations for meeting new people, ran through travel scenarios with him at home, went through a ‘shadowing’ her plan was realistic and process on the farm, and Today, Emma is delighted to be gradually gave Tom more hours its risks were positively walking to, and working out at the each week with the farming managed. gym by herself. She feels more team. Through his care farm confident and healthier with her programme, Tom came to follow new activity, and has learned to sequenced instructions, make handle money and interactions decisions about appropriate tools, look for the safest ways to achieve tasks, and with people she doesn’t know. handle money and customers in the selling of farm Emma has reached her goal because her plan vegetables. was realistic and what once seemed a distant Over many months, Tom achieved each of his dream for Emma is now her routine, and she is looking forward. planned steps, and his dad was pleasantly surprised with the new abilities (and veggies!) that came home with him from the farm.

With thanks to Dela Begum, SweetTree.

Today, Tom is delighted to be working part-time at a volunteer café. He feels more confident and often interacts with people he doesn’t know. Despite small set-backs along the way, Tom reached his goal because his plan was realistic and its risks were positively managed in a safe environment.

Tom is already looking forward to making more change happen.

46

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

HABIB’S STORY

This will be a great platform from which to further re-establish his all-important relationship with his family.

– SUMMARY – March 2015 Habib is 21, he has autism, a severe learning disability and complex needs, including behaviours which can challenge.

He also has Type I, insulindependent, diabetes. He grew up in North-East England, supported by his family. However, he placed increasing demands on them as he became an adult. In July 2014 he had an emergency admission to Hesley Group services in South Yorkshire.

Before this move, he had been verbally and physically aggressive at home. Habib had also hit members of the public. He might lash out particularly if anxious.

Habib likes structure, routine and predictability. As challenges increased this became harder to achieve and Habib became more anxious, which increased his distress and unsettled behaviour. His communication became harder to understand, making problems worse for Habib and those supporting him, particularly his mother, as his main carer.

Habib was very frightened when he arrived at Hesley, having never been away from his home and family. Initially supported in single

person accommodation because of his anxiety, it soon became clear that Habib preferred company, so he moved to live with two other young adults.

As he settled it became clear that Habib’s anxiety had hidden good communication and a range of other skills. He takes great pride in his appearance and in keeping his home clean.

With his mother’s and his family’s efforts, those of the Hesley team and those to come from his new provider, Habib looks ready to enjoy a great summer

Staff found they could remind Habib of his abilities, rather than him having to learn new skills. With re-involvement in meaningful and enjoyable activity, Habib’s challenging behaviour

decreased. He now accesses many activities within Hesley and in the community, particularly enjoying going to watch rugby.

His diabetes is much better controlled with regular meals and a lower insulin dose.

Habib’s family now visit weekly, which was difficult for everybody initially but is increasingly positive.

After three months it has become clear that Habib can quickly move on from Hesley. It has been planned with him – including through the use of social stories – and his family, to move back to his home area, though not to the family home. This will be a great platform from which to reestablish his relationship with his family. It is felt that Habib might do very well in supported living.

With Habib’s efforts, his mother’s and his family’s efforts, those of the Hesley team and those to come from his new provider, he looks ready to enjoy a great summer – including the Rugby World Cup! With thanks to the Hesley Group www.hesleygroup.co.uk

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

47

Banking - breaking down barriers Managing your own money is a vital part of being independent and feeling in control of your life, which is why it is so important for all aspects of banking to be as accessible as possible. Banks want their services to be available to everyone, easy to use and convenient but you may not have heard of all of the ways that they are trying to improve. Here, Progress talks about the main features that could help you access and organise your money more easily.

Some banks are also realising the potential that iPads and tablets hold in assisting you with a more convenient way to bank.

In branch

Making branches physically accessible with ramps and wide entrances is just the first step in making banking available to everyone. It may be fairly easy for you to get into your local branch, but if you have needs which have to be met when you get there then you could still be waiting around for assistance.

This is one of the reasons that Barclays are trialling beacons in some of their branches. By downloading an app and uploading a photo of yourself beforehand, the idea is that once you arrive in a branch, assistive technology will discreetly alert staff that you have arrived, who you are and what your specific needs are. This should also help staff to put in place any accessibility requirements you need quickly and efficiently and prevent you from having to say what help you need every time you enter a branch.

48

Some banks are also realising the potential that iPads and tablets hold in assisting you with a more convenient way to bank. This particularly relates to people with additional needs. They are using iPads to access instant sign language technologies to communicate with people who may have a hearing impairment as soon as they enter a branch. If you have a hearing impairment, this eliminates the need to make an appointment to ensure your needs are met and allows you to make unscheduled visits to your bank whenever you like.

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

Progress mag ad:Layout 1 04/08/2014 15:57 Page 1

Unrivalled Private Client expertise Our experienced team shows real commitment to delivering the right quality of service at the best price.

• Wills • Trust formation, administration & taxation • Lasting Powers of Attorney • Probate and Administration of Estates • Court of Protection Applications Nigel Cullen 0845 274 6879 nigel.cullen@freeths.co.uk

www.freeths.co.uk

@ p r o g r e s s _ m a g

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

49

Online

Online banking means you can manage your money from the comfort of your own home but finding your way around the website can pose problems. Banks are improving the way you can access their websites, depending on your impairment: • Sight – This includes making the text larger, magnifying the screen and changing fonts and colours.

• Hearing – Some online banking will use avatars which turn speech into sign language and feature sound sentry. An avatar is a small picture used to represent you in an online environment which you could upload yourself or ‘build’ on the site.

Or you can just choose from a list of possible icons that you like.

• Motor – This includes voice recognition, the voice-controlled virtual assistant Siri and touch and hold delay. This allows you to set the recognition time for tapping and holding the screen from short to medium or long.

• Cognitive – This includes hiding things on the page that may be distracting so that there is not too much information and enabling your device to talk to you.

Banking apps Mobile banking apps can be found on most people’s phones or tablets these days because they give you quick and easy access to your money. Last year, Barclays’ Mobile Banking app was the first app to receive AbilityNet accreditation, following testing at the end of 2014 with disabled users to highlight ‘realworld’ issues. The app includes an accessibility section where users can select information depending on their disability. For more information visit www.barclays.com/accessibility. html

It’s a contactless way to pay which is linked to a pre-paid account but you wear the pay band on your wrist to make it even easier for you to shop.

50

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

Out and about Talking cash machines The Royal National Institute of Blind People’s (RNIB) Make Money Talk campaign back in 2011 showed that the majority of blind and partially-sighted people needed help using a cash machine. While some chose to only get their money in branch during opening hours, others took the risky step of asking passers-by to help them with their PIN. The report also found that 44% of blind and partiallysighted people would be happier to use cash machines if they could ‘talk.’

The result of this campaign is that if you are blind or partially-sighted you can now hear prompts such as ‘please take your cash’ to assist you with your transaction or you can plug your own headphones into the headphone jack at the front of the cash machine.

Contactless pay The contactless way of paying has become all the rage in the last year and this has been taken one step further with the trial of bPay by Barclaycard. It’s a contactless way to pay which is linked to a pre-paid account but you wear the pay band on your wrist to make it even easier for you to shop. This means no searching around in your wallet or bag for your bank card. For safety reasons, there is a spend limit of £25 at any one time.

Representative Access If you feel more comfortable having somebody you trust look after your finances then banks such as Lloyds also have Representative Access. This is the term used for allowing another person to access and manage your accounts on your behalf. You and the person you have nominated to do this will usually have to make an appointment to go into the branch to arrange this.

Bank cards If you are blind or partially-sighted, you might keep various cards in your purse or wallet separate from each other so that you can keep track of which one is which. Whether you are paying for something whilst out shopping or trying to withdraw money from a cash machine, it’s not practical to be spending ages searching for the right card.

In a response to this, RBS/Natwest has become one of the first banks to launch more accessible bank cards that will be much easier to find and use.

The cards feature markings to make each card different and a notch to show which way to insert them into a cash machine.

The back of the card has also been changed with the needs of partially sighted customers in mind; the telephone numbers have been put on the front and the font has been increased by more than 50% to make it much easier to see.

Some other banks have also brought in high-contrast colour schemes for debit cards, with backgrounds that are colour-coded to show which way to insert it into a cash machine and make it stand out from all the other cards which you may have in your wallet.

It is easy to get yourself an accessible bank card – they can be ordered online or in branch and should be issued within 48 hours, at no additional cost to you. Speak to your bank about their accessible cards and how they can make it easier for you to tell which card is which in your wallet.

@ p r o g r e s s _ m a g

Although banks look like they are trying to do as much as possible to make their services available to everyone, you may find that there are things you still struggle with. If this is the case, contact the bank in the way that is best for you and let them know. Some banks have an Access Twitter account where you can tweet any problems you have come across using their services and an employee will get back to you and try to assist you as best they can.

AbilityNet offers advice and guidance on making computers, tablets and the web as easily accessible as possible. This includes banking.

For more information visit www.abilitynet.org.uk

With thanks to Barclays.

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

51

Play and leisure: understanding your rights

Many young people often struggle to access suitable play and leisure activities. This could include social or sports clubs at evenings or weekends or activities during school holidays. This might be because of difficulties with obtaining funding, lack of information about what opportunities are available or simply because the scheme does not cater for the needs of disabled young people.

With cuts to funding and tightening of eligibility criteria for services being seen across the country, understanding your legal rights in this area has never been more important. Polly Sweeney explains more.

What should my local authority be providing?

Since April 2011, there has been a duty on local authorities under Section 25 of the Children and Young Person Act 2008, to provide ‘breaks from caring to assist parents and others who provide care for disabled children to continue to do so’.

These are known as ‘short breaks’ and should form part of a child or young person’s care package – either directly commissioned or provided as a direct ‘cash’ payment.

The Breaks for Carers of Disabled Children Regulations states that local authorities must provide a range of short breaks for disabled children in their area including daytime care in or outside the child’s home, overnight care in or outside the child’s home and educational and leisure activities.

In addition, play and leisure opportunities for disabled children and young people are available under Section 2 of the Chronically Sick and

52

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

Disabled Persons Act 1970 and under the Children Act 1989. This might include: • Provision of leisure facilities.

• Occupational, social, cultural or recreational activities.

• Assistance to enable your child and family to have a holiday.

• Travel assistance.

Details of services available under these legal provisions should also be included in your local authority’s Local Offer which must also explain: •

Which particular play and leisure activities are available to all children and young people with SEN and disabilities via universal services.

•

Which play and leisure activities are provided as part of more targeted services for children and young people who require additional short-term support over and above universal services.

•

What specialist play and leisure opportunities are available – these are generally only accessed following a formal assessment from a social worker.

Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child also provides that children have the right to relax and play and to join in a wide range of cultural, artistic and other recreational activities.

What if a young person’s disability means they can’t access opportunities?

Sections 20 to 22 of the Equality Act 2010 protects disabled children and young people from discrimination. They create a legal duty on organisations (including schools and colleges and service providers) to make reasonable adjustments to their policies and premises and to provide auxiliary aids and services to avoid young people with disabilities being placed at a substantial disadvantage. Importantly, disabled children and young people cannot be forced to meet any additional costs of providing these reasonable adjustments.

A failure to make a reasonable adjustment amounts to unlawful discrimination and can be challenged in court where the disabled individual may also seek compensation.

How do I access this support?

25 years states that local authorities must publish this short breaks statement on their website and that this will form a core part of its Local Offer – the new requirement on local authorities introduced under Part 3 of the Children and Families Act. In addition to the information above, the Local Offer must also contain information on any eligibility criteria which must be satisfied before any play or leisure activities can be accessed.

Parents and young people themselves should be consulted when the Local Offer is prepared and reviewed and you have a right to make comments on the content of the Local Offer, including on the quality of the play and leisure activities included and any gaps in provision. Those comments must be published on an anonymous basis along with the local authority’s response to comments made.

If you are concerned that your child is not being given the opportunity to access appropriate play and leisure opportunities then you should seek legal advice from a specialist solicitor who can advise you of rights to legally challenge decisions. Legal aid remains available for children and young people for advice regarding your legal rights in this area.

Polly Sweeney is a Solicitor at Irwin Mitchell.

Each local authority must produce a ‘short breaks services statement’. This statement must set out details of the range of services provided, the eligibility criteria and how the range of services is designed to meet the needs of carers in their area.

The new SEND Code of Practice: 0 to

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

53

What’s on offer with the Local Offer?

Every local authority has a duty to publish a Local Offer, detailing what is available for children and young people with Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND) in your area. You should be able to find your local authority’s Local Offer on their website, or by searching for it online. However, Progress brings you detail of a website that is putting everything in one place.

The Local Offer website www.thelocaloffer.co.uk is a growing online social enterprise which aims to bridge the gap between public, private and third sector specialist provision.

It was designed to reach out to children and young people with SEND and their families, carers, schools and those people who commission services. It features a wide range of information for: •

Parents, carers and young people – who can search a community of specialist providers to explore what services may be the right ones for them.

• Local authorities, commissioners, schools and professionals – who can access the database of SEND providers by using the search features.

•

Specialist providers and professionals – who can register their service and showcase their provision in all 152 local authorities (LAs) in England.

The vision behind The Local Offer is that parents, professionals and specialist providers all share a common goal in making a difference to the life of each individual child.

54

www.progressmagazine.co.uk

After launching at the end of 2014, it already features a membership base which includes: • Therapeutic riding centres.

• Visual impairment practitioners.

• Service children support networks.

• Wraparound care services.

• Social, sporting and leisure services.

• SEND consultancy services.

• Holistic therapy and mindfulness practitioners.

The Local Offer has been designed to make it easier for you to find out what is available in your area by including everybody’s information in one place. It should make it easier for you to find out what services and support are local to your area and anybody can access it.

It has also been designed to help communities make more changes and have their say on what should be available for children and young people (up to 25 years old) with SEND in their area. By improving transparency in the system, the Local Offer aims to aid access to support and highlight improvements where necessary.

You can find your LAs Local Offer by visiting www.thelocaloffer.co.uk/the-local-offer-bylocal-authority or you can just use a search engine; just type your region, followed

by Local Offer, e.g. ‘Oxfordshire Local Offer.’

Personalised Support - Enabling Independence & Wellbeing

Care And Support That’s Right For You that recognise the individuality of each customer consistent standard. We assist people to maintain

• • Equipment • • Care homes for older people • • Employment and disability service • • • Short breaks, holidays and respite • Shared lives • Care in a crisis.

Talk To Us To See How We Can Support You. 01604 366 000

Weekdays 9.00am - 5.00pm

accessteam@olympuscareservices.co.uk Olympus House, Billing Brook Road, Northampton NN3 8JH

r s be nso res us e to o g e un d Sp Pro Se h J ou te s t. t Pr cia ar’ ven ay 4 so ye E sd As this tion hur i of ans n T Tr re o e th

Hesley Enhancing Lives Programme.

40 years in the making.

We’re celebrating our 40th year. And we’ve learnt a lot along the way. Today, much of our experience and in house expertise is channelled to deliver our innovative Hesley Enhancing Lives Programme (HELP).

Combining the latest techniques and practices, HELP focuses on how our actions and reactions can positively shape the emotional well being of all those who use our services. Through taking a proactive and empathic approach the need for higher risk interventions is reduced. All staff receive HELP training from the point of induction and regularly thereafter, to make sure it works in practice as well as theory.

Enquiries freephone 0800 055 6789 www.hesleygroup.co.uk Established in 1975, the Hesley Group provides specialist support through its schools, colleges and adult residential services with a highly experienced and expert multidisciplinary educational, care and therapeutic staff resource, in high quality purpose built settings. We’re focused on positive outcomes and progress towards sustainable independence.

Link to the best help and support

Help us grow - suggest a link

Events Calendar

Search

The website dedicated to making those helpful and sometimes vital links

www.autismlinks.co.uk

Support Groups

Care Services

Research & Publications

Money & Law

Independence

News & Social Media

Education

Diagnosis Therapies & Approaches

Resources & Accessories

Inspiration & Good Ideas The Local Offer