Great news for carers of disabled children

liquidstool_2

I volunteer for my local "Carer Council" and have recieved notice of fantastic news, while it's not a monetary benefit, the difference this will make to your life - and that of your child will make a good impact. This came out of the blue;

Government announces £800 million funding for short breaks
Strictly embargoed, not for broadcast or print before 00.01 Saturday 11th December 2010

Campaign welcomes highest ever investment in short breaks for families with disabled children.

Sarah Teather MP, Children’s Minister announced today (11 December 2010) that the Government will be providing local authorities with £800 million over the next four years to fund short breaks for families with disabled children over the next four years. This represents approx £200 million per year, a £22 million year on year increase on 2010 funding, and sends a clear message to local authorities that services for disabled children should be a high priority.

In addition, to help improve the way short breaks are provided, the Government is also announcing £40million of capital investment in 2011-12 which will help to support innovative local services like the Hull bicycle project - which provides adapted bicycles so that disabled children can have fun cycling in the park with their friends.

Short breaks allow parents of disabled children to carry out day to day tasks that other parents take for granted. Crucially, they also give disabled children and young people opportunities to access positive activities independently of their families. Throughout November, supporters of the Every Disabled Child Matters (EDCM) campaign have worked with their MPs to call upon the Government to provide a clear message on funding for short breaks, and other services for disabled children.

This announcement comes ahead of Parliamentary debates about regulations under the local authority duty to provide short breaks. These regulations state that by 1st October 2011 local authorities must publish a statement for carers in their area setting out:

• details of the range of short breaks services provided;
• any criteria against which eligibility services will be assessed; and
• how the range of services is designed to meet the needs of carers in their area.

Finally, Sarah Teather MP announced £27 million next year for the Family Fund. The Family Fund give grants for things that make life easier for families with disabled children such as washing machines, driving lessons and computers.

Christine Lenehan, Director, Council for Disabled Children and EDCM Board member said: “We are absolutely delighted that the Government has increased funding for short breaks. Parents of disabled children have told us that ‘the lack of short breaks is the biggest single cause of unhappiness with service provision’. This is the most significant level of funding for short breaks we have ever seen. As it coincides with the statutory duty on local authorities to provide breaks, which comes into force in April, families with disabled children should now confidently expect that they will receive the support that they need to lead ordinary lives.’

Laura Courtney, EDCM Campaign Manager said: “Today the Coalition Government has delivered on its pledge that disabled children are at the heart of what they are trying to achieve. This is a testament to the dedicated campaigning of supporters of the Every Disabled Child Matters campaign, and the diligent work of their constituency MPs. We warmly welcome this investment and will work with supporters to ensure that it translate to excellent local delivery.”

-ENDS

What is even more suprising is that this has been announced in the current economic climate.

The coalition hasn't done much good so far but respect to them for pulling this out of the bag!

annies_mum

this is great news for parents and carers of disabled children and a very surprising boost.
however speaking of a parent of a severly disabled son, who had to jump through hoops to get him HRC DLA i for one would rather this money was put towards giving DLA to the children who deserve it and have being turned down through been caught up in the budget cuts this goverment has made or are going to make to this benefit.

tin_can

liquidstool wrote: »

I volunteer for my local "Carer Council" and have recieved notice of fantastic news, while it's not a monetary benefit, the difference this will make to your life - and that of your child will make a good impact. This came out of the blue;

Government announces £800 million funding for short breaks
Strictly embargoed, not for broadcast or print before 00.01 Saturday 11th December 2010

Campaign welcomes highest ever investment in short breaks for families with disabled children.

Sarah Teather MP, Children’s Minister announced today (11 December 2010) that the Government will be providing local authorities with £800 million over the next four years to fund short breaks for families with disabled children over the next four years. This represents approx £200 million per year, a £22 million year on year increase on 2010 funding, and sends a clear message to local authorities that services for disabled children should be a high priority.

In addition, to help improve the way short breaks are provided, the Government is also announcing £40million of capital investment in 2011-12 which will help to support innovative local services like the Hull bicycle project - which provides adapted bicycles so that disabled children can have fun cycling in the park with their friends.

Short breaks allow parents of disabled children to carry out day to day tasks that other parents take for granted. Crucially, they also give disabled children and young people opportunities to access positive activities independently of their families. Throughout November, supporters of the Every Disabled Child Matters (EDCM) campaign have worked with their MPs to call upon the Government to provide a clear message on funding for short breaks, and other services for disabled children.

This announcement comes ahead of Parliamentary debates about regulations under the local authority duty to provide short breaks. These regulations state that by 1st October 2011 local authorities must publish a statement for carers in their area setting out:

• details of the range of short breaks services provided;
• any criteria against which eligibility services will be assessed; and
• how the range of services is designed to meet the needs of carers in their area.

Finally, Sarah Teather MP announced £27 million next year for the Family Fund. The Family Fund give grants for things that make life easier for families with disabled children such as washing machines, driving lessons and computers.

Christine Lenehan, Director, Council for Disabled Children and EDCM Board member said: “We are absolutely delighted that the Government has increased funding for short breaks. Parents of disabled children have told us that ‘the lack of short breaks is the biggest single cause of unhappiness with service provision’. This is the most significant level of funding for short breaks we have ever seen. As it coincides with the statutory duty on local authorities to provide breaks, which comes into force in April, families with disabled children should now confidently expect that they will receive the support that they need to lead ordinary lives.’

Laura Courtney, EDCM Campaign Manager said: “Today the Coalition Government has delivered on its pledge that disabled children are at the heart of what they are trying to achieve. This is a testament to the dedicated campaigning of supporters of the Every Disabled Child Matters campaign, and the diligent work of their constituency MPs. We warmly welcome this investment and will work with supporters to ensure that it translate to excellent local delivery.”

-ENDS

What is even more suprising is that this has been announced in the current economic climate.

The coalition hasn't done much good so far but respect to them for pulling this out of the bag!

just wanted to say that bicycle project is realy good my ex foster sister who is disabled loves it that she can ride round east park with her friends. happy christmas:xmastree:

[Deleted User]

so a 10% rise in this budget,versus a 20% cut in most council budgets,why cant they put this cash into providing respite care?
£800 million is a sticking plaster for a broken bone

Bellydancer

I gather this money isn't ring-fenced, though, so I doubt much of it will be used for its intended purpose.

Brassedoff

Bellydancer wrote: »

I gather this money isn't ring-fenced, though, so I doubt much of it will be used for its intended purpose.

By who? The recipients or the agency's?

Bellydancer

Brassedoff wrote: »

By who? The recipients or the agency's?

The local authorities that the money is being given to.

http://www.carersuk.org/Forums/viewtopic.php?t=14064

Brassedoff

Thank you for that. As an Uncle of a child who is struck with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, I know his parent (more so my poor brother) while care 24/7 for the lad and anything that could benefit people in his situation is of great interest to me.

covlass

This is great news

3onitsway

woodbine wrote: »

so a 10% rise in this budget,versus a 20% cut in most council budgets,why cant they put this cash into providing respite care?
£800 million is a sticking plaster for a broken bone

^^ what he/she said!


Maybe i'm just an old cynic, but I really can't see any change/benefit actually getting through to the families who need it!

We have been on a 7 year waiting list to finally be awarded 21 nights per year respite. However, we've now joined the waiting list for the actual respite because there isn't any space. :rotfl: (I have to laugh or i'd cry!)

Indie_Kid

Is there anything like this for adults?