Please find below information on four things the Council is doing to support parents of children with disabilities during the period of Covid-19 (Coronavirus)

In order to pursue any of these option please contact your social worker or email cwdcommissioning@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

Summary:

1. Direct Payments (DP) 1: Flexible use Parents and carers who would normally use their direct payment to pay for a carer for their child, but are unable to do so due to the pandemic restrictions, can now use this money more flexibly.  For example, using the money to make one off purchases of equipment that will help to support their child during the pandemic.  
2. Direct Payments (DP) 2: Saving up your hours. Parents and carers can carry over any unused hours of care into the rest of the year, to be used when the pandemic restrictions ease.
3. Direct Payments (DP) 3: Financial Support to DP Carers. If your child cannot receive care from your DP carers due to Covid-19/Coronavirus we are willing to financially support your DP carers during the period of the virus so that they do not have to seek alternative work and will be available to resume care as restrictions ease.   
   
   In addition, if parents and carers find an alternative temporary carer for their child during the restrictions, we can both fund the temporary carer and offer the financial support to the original carer until they are able to resume caring for the child.
4. Payments to Care Agencies: If your child normally receives care from a Care Agency who are unable to provide it during to the pandemic, we are providing support to the agency during this period.  This will allow the care agency to resume providing the care as soon as restrictions ease, preferably with the same carer(s) as before.

We are an information, advice, and support service for young people with special educational needs and disabilities and their families.

Contact us if you or your child has special educational needs and/or a disability and:

• you are worried about progress being made at nursery, school or college;
• you want to know what other support might be available;
• you want some advice about education, health, and care needs assessments or plans;
• you are concerned about school exclusions;
• you are not sure that the decisions being made are right or what your rights are under SEND law.

Our advice and support are free, confidential, and impartial. We will work together with you, the school, Central Bedfordshire Council and any other education, health, and social care professionals to help find a way forward and reach positive outcomes.

We are committed to developing our service to meet the needs of local residents. To help us do this we would love to hear your views in our survey which closes 31 July 2020

You can contact us directly  by emailing: SENDIASS@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk or telephone 0300 300 8088

There is also lots of information about SEND support on our website which you may find helpful.

More Information

Not all disabilities are visible – living with a hidden disability can make daily life more demanding and it can be difficult for others to recognise the challenges you face.

By wearing the Sunflower lanyard or carrying a card discreetly indicates to people around you that you may need some help, or a little more time.

If you are a member of SNAP Parent Carer Forum and would like a card and or a lanyard please email admin@snappcf.org.uk

If you are a parent or carer of  a child or young person aged between 0-25 years with any additional need and live in Central Bedfordshire and would like to apply for free membership, fill out a SNAP PCF Membership Form