Activities for Disabled Children; an easy read guide to Aiming High funding Local government sets aside funding to pay for activities for disabled children. In Richmond and Kingston local authorities, this funding is called 'Aiming High' and is managed by Caroline Jager and the Aiming High team at Achieving for Children. Families are encouraged to apply (via a professional) for this funding. There is a limit of £500 per year per child, and the financial year runs from April 1 to March 31. In 2015-16 there has been an under-spend, so there is more funding than usual available for Jan-Mar 2016. Now is the ideal time to apply! The application form needs to be filled out by a professional who knows the family well e.g. SENCo, Health visitor, Speech and Language therapist, Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Family Support Worker, GP or Charity representative and will need to explain why the activity will benefit the child.
Here are some things that the Aiming High fund could pay for: Regular activities, done individually, or part of a group: swimming lessons, horse-riding lessons, karate lessons, football lessons, specialist activities e.g. communication classes run by a charity, after-school / holiday groups or activities One off activities: Trips to the cinema, Theatre tickets, Bowling, Go Ape, Day ticket to venues (eg Legoland or similar) Holidays or Short Breaks Family holidays Weekends away e.g. CenterParcs And, only Jan - Mar 2016 (due to this year's under-spend, and therefore there being more in the pot): Annual memberships or passes: eg Chessington World of Adventures, Legoland, Kew Gardens, Royal Palaces, National Trust and Health Clubs with swimming pools & children's activities NB the fund will only pay for the cost of the disabled child's part of the activity or holiday, not the whole family's. Please wait for the funding to be agreed before booking any activity. Where the activity is a regular activity, the provider (e.g. riding school) should invoice the Aiming High team directly. Where the activity is a one-off activity or a holiday, once the Aiming High team have agreed to fund the child's share of the cost, they will reimburse the family when proof of payment for the activity has been provided.
Contacts:
More information, and the application form, is available on the Local Offer website (where it is called 'bid form'): https://www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/pages/home/leisure-activities-and-shortbreaks/aiming-high-funding
The Aiming High Manager who should be contacted to find out if your idea is eligible for funding, and for advice, is Caroline Jager. Tel: 0208 547 6069 Email: caroline.jager@achievingforchildren.org.uk
The SEND Family Voices 'Short Breaks' lead who can be contacted with any related queries is Rachel Derrick. SFV Tel: 07468 746 145 Email: rachelkd@gmail.com
www.sendfamilyvoices.org