Carers handbook contents

• Getting started
• Self Help and Community Support
• Equipment and technology
• Money Matters
• Carer’s Health & Wellbeing
• Carers in Paid Employment
• Talking with Professionals
• Assessments – Asking for Help
• Care Providers and Care Costs
• Planning Ahead
• Children and Young People with Disabilities
• Young Carers and Young Adult Carers

On this page

• Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Definition 
• Southend Carers – Family carers
• Lighthouse Centre and School Nursing Service
• Local Authority Support -Assessments
• Respite – carers breaks and family breaks 
• Support in Schools
• Transition to adult services
• Planning for the Unexpected
• Useful Links and Organisations  

Page last updated 21/03/2021

Special Education Needs and Disabilities ( SEND ) 

A child or young person has special educational needs (SEN) if they need extra support because they find it harder to learn than the majority of other children or young people of the same age. 

A child or young person has a disability if they have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial or long term effect on their ability to carry out normal day to day activities. 

Children and young people who have special educational needs (SEN) do not necessarily have a disability, and some disabled children and young people do not have special educational needs. There is a lot of overlap between the two groups though. 

Southend Carers – Family Carers Project 

Family Carers is a Southend Carers project for families who are caring for a child or children with a physical or learning disability it offers; 

• a monthly event or trip 
• an opportunity to make new friends and meet other families in a similar situation 
• time to share experiences and information 

Southend Carers can also support carers by; 

• Making referrals for assessments and supporting through the assessment process 
• Advice on benefits Free counselling 
• Health and wellbeing advice and groups Peer support groups 

Lighthouse Centre and School Nursing Service 

The Lighthouse Child Development Centre is a multi-disciplinary centre for children up to 16 years of age. Referrals can be made by your GP, paediatrician, health visitor or health worker. The team working at the centre include; 

• consultant paediatricians
• nurse
• midwives
• The Toy Library (a charity organisation), children with disabilities social care team, audiology,
• speech and language therapy and rehabilitation which is comprised of physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

Children referred to the service may have a range of difficulties ranging from 

• long term conditions and disabilities
• delayed development of their independence, fine motor and gross motor skills
• have suffered a short term injury requiring treatment.

What the service provides 

The service provides specialised outpatient care for those with significant delay in more than one area of development and have or are likely to require the support from more than one secondary agency, service or discipline.

For families requiring a multi-agency approach, there is an identified key worker and the Lighthouse Child Development Centre will work in partnership with colleagues in the community both locally and further afield.

A full description of the services available at the lighthouse centre can be found on the Southend NHS website http:/ www.southend.nhs.uk/your-services/womens-childrens- services/the-lighthouse-child-development-centre/ 

School Nursing Service 

School Nurses work in partnership with families and other professionals to promote the health of all children and to support children with health needs in the school environment. This includes care planning with schools and parent’s to ensure the needs of children with diagnosed conditions are met. Care packages and services are also offered for other health needs such as weight management, bed wetting, hearing and vision assessments, and emotional well-being. School Nursing service information and factsheets 

Young people living in Southend can also access ChatHealth, which is a secure and confidential text messaging service for young people aged between 11 – 19 years Young people living in Southend can also access ChatHealth, which is a secure and confidential text messaging service for young people aged between 11 – 19 years. It allows young people living in Southend to easily and anonymously get in touch with a School Nurse for advice and support. 11-19 year olds can text 07520 649895 for advice regarding mental health, sexual health, bullying, drugs, alcohol, self-harm, relationships and smoking as well as any other health issue.

It allows young people living in Southend to easily and anonymously get in touch with a School Nurse for advice and support. 11-19 year olds can text 07520 649895 for advice regarding mental health, sexual health, bullying, drugs, alcohol, self-harm, relationships and smoking as well as any other health issue.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, ChatHealth service extended to meet needs of parents and carers of children aged 5–19 in Southend. Text a school nurse on 07507 331884 for advice and support with all kinds of health issues like; growth and development, emotional wellbeing, growing up, sleep, immunisation advice, toileting and healthy lifestyles service available 09.30–16.30 Monday to Friday (excluding Bank holidays.)

Local Authority Support

There are services and support available to families with children and young people with a special educational need or disabilities.

Information on these services and activities has been collated and published by the local authority under the title Local Offer.

Southend Council’s Local Offer is published on the Livewell Southend website . It includes information about childcare options which have specialist expertise to support children with a special educational need or disability.  It is advisable to contact the service or organisation to check the details are up-to-date.

It is a statutory requirement that this ‘Local Offer’ information be made available in a printed copy if required.

Family assessment

Your local council can provide help if you have a disabled child, including:

• Short breaks
• Holiday play schemes Care at home
• Some aids and adaptations
• Financial help, e.g. money towards travel costs for hospital visits

A full description of these services can be found on the Council Website

SBC children with disabilities

Southend Borough Council has a duty to provide these services under the Children’s Act 1989. Some are free of charge – the council might ask you to contribute towards others.

To request an  assessment of child’s needs contact the social services team tel.  01702 215007 council@southend.gov.uk. A health professional or voluntary organisation can contact the council on your behalf.

Describe your child’s difficulties including the diagnosis of your child’s disability, if you have one. Explain what difficulties you are having and the type of help you would like.

How is it completed? 

There are no strict rules in the Children Act 1989 governing how Local Authorities should decide whether an assessed child is eligible for support and services. The aim will be to take a holistic approach, to gain a complete picture of support needs. It can include all the family and agencies e.g. school and health professionals. You as parent and main carer will need to give consent before outside agencies are contacted.

To prepare for the assessment it is advisable to gather together all the information you have including medical reports and any letters or assessments completed by other professionals. Think about potential risks (physical, emotional or social harm) if the needs are unsupported; you could include any statements from family and friends.

If you keep a diary, even if it’s only for a few weeks, noting the challenges faced each day and night. It can help you to prepare for an assessment and is also helpful when making an application for a disability benefit.

This will help avoid forgetting to mention something important, especially if the level of support your child needs fluctuates day by day.

You should receive a copy of the assessment when it is completed. If there are eligible needs which require the provision of services; the child, parents/carers and the service providers, will discuss and design a care plan.

An explanation must be given if it is decided that no services will be provided. The decision can be challenged using the complaints procedure.

Carer’s needs

The Children and Families Act 2014 amends the Children Act 1989 and states that you as the parent and main ‘carer’ can have an assessment at the same time or separately to consider the support you require.

The local authority must take the result of your assessment into account in deciding what, if any, services to provide to your child under Section 17 Children Act 1989.

Respite

There are a variety of schemes to help provide respite for families who have children with additional needs.

Southend Carers Family Carers organise family activities and trips out.  An opportunity to make new friends in a similar position to yourself and share information and experience.  Southend Carers also have a closed Facebook group for Parent Carers.  For more information contact Southend Carers 01702 393933 Email info@southendcarers.co.uk.

The Marvellous Minders scheme is aimed at finding a suitable childminder to allow parents and carers the chance to have a short break, return to work or access training, while their child receives high quality care. The scheme is co-ordinated through the Southend Early Years team by a Pacey Childminding Coordinator. 

 To find childcare providers in your area you can: 

• Search on the Southend Livewell website for registered childcare providers.
• text CHILDCARE to 88440 (the Early Years team will call you back),
• email earlyyears@southend.gov.uk.

The government childcare-calculator can help identify financial help towards childcare costs.

Funding to pay for respite may be available through the Short breaks scheme or through Direct Payments these are all accessed through the local authority.

Children with Disabilities team 01702 507163 / 01702 215007

Lighthouse Child Development Centre, Snakes Lane, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS2 6XT

Short Breaks Scheme 

A short break is a good quality, fun activity that disabled children or young people attend, with or without their parents/carers.  

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council’s Children’s Short Break programmes are open to children and young people who:

• Live in the borough of Southend-on-Sea;
• Are aged between 0-18 years;
• Have a long term, permanent, physical or mental impairment that has a substantial long term effect on their ability to carry out day to day activities;
• Have a sensory impairment;
• Have Autism Spectrum Disorder;
• May have challenging behaviour as a result of their learning disability.

Direct Payments: money paid by Southend Borough Council to the parent or carer of a disabled child young person aged 16 or 17, so they can arrange and pay for their own support and services. You can buy any service you have been assessed as needing (with some exceptions). You could use Direct Payments for: Employing a personal assistant to support and care for your child as an overnight or day carer; Community activities, for example support for your child to attend after school clubs or youth clubs; Short residential breaks; Support with your child’s personal care.

Support in Schools

Under the Equality Act 2010, it’s against the law for schools and other education providers to discriminate against disabled children. Schools have to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ for disabled children. These can include: 

• changes to physical features, e.g. adding a ramp changes to how learners are assessed 
• providing extra support and aids, e.g. specialist teachers or equipment 

The school’s policy on special educational needs will show you what support they can offer. 

School Nursing service work in partnership with families and other professionals to promote the health of all children and to support children with health needs in the school environment. This includes care planning with schools and parent’s to ensure the needs of children with diagnosed conditions are met. Contact details; 01702 534843 sccg.southendpublichealthnurses@nhs.net 

The school nursing service also provide a ChatHealth text messaging service described above in the section Lighthouse Centre and School Nursing service. 

The Special Educational Needs and Disability Information,  Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS)  

This service provides a free, impartial and confidential service to parents and carers of children aged 0- 25 years who have special educational needs and or a disability (SEND). 

SENDIAS aims to 

• provide accurate, up to date and impartial resources and information about the law on special educational needs and disability. 
• encourage partnership between parents, carers and young people with their school, local authority, social care, health and other agencies 
• support children and young people up to 25 years of age; working directly with the child or young person, or work with them and their parent or carer. 
• provide information on how to access further help and advice provide information on the Local Offer  

The Local Offer tells you what support is available for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), and their families. It should include information about education, health and care provision. It should also tell you about training, employment and independent living for young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities. 

• give advice by email, on the telephone, face to face and through work with support groups and at workshops. 
• give more intensive support if needed. This can include helping with letters, attending meetings with you, or supporting you in discussions 
• with the local authority, school, college or other settings. 

Further Information 

Resources including factsheets, and template letters on the SENDIASS website 

Contact details for SENDIASS; Telephone 01702 215499 or 01702 534793. Email iass@southend.gov.uk 

Further educational support 

If your child aged (up to 25 years) needs more help than the school SEN support can provide you can request an education, health and care needs assessment (EHC). 

A request can also be made by anyone else who thinks an assessment may be necessary, including doctors, health visitors, teachers, parents and family friends. 

An education, health and care needs assessment is completed by the local authority. An assessment can result in an EHC plan, which explains the extra support the child needs. The council must make sure your child gets this support. The Southend Educational Psychology 

service will be involved in the assessment and may also be contacted by parents/carers to discuss their concerns. 

Southend Educational Psychology Service (EPS)  

This service aims to improve the life chances of all through their work within the local community. Educational Psychologists (EPs) are committed to making an inclusive education system and society. EPs offer consultation, advice and training on how our settings, parents and carers might help children and young people to reach their goals.

EPs contribute to local and national priorities, aiming to enhance social inclusion, social and emotional well-being of young people and families and raise attainment.  

EPConnect 01702 212690 is a phone-line for parents/carers, school staff and other professionals working with children and young people. The link below provides further details.

The Educational Psychology service provide many resources for parents, carers and professionals including recorded webinars and links to other useful national sites.

The Educational Psychology service provide many resources for parents, carers and professionals including recorded webinars and links to other useful national sites. 

http:/ www.southendlearningnetwork.co.uk/educationalpsychology  

Transition to Adult Services

The Care Act 2014 places a duty on the local councils to carry out an assessment for;

•  children who are in receipt of care and support and are approaching 18 years old this is a Child Needs Assessment (CNA) in transition
• carers of disabled children who are approaching 18 this is a Child Carer’s Assessment (CAA) ‘in transition’. Carers of disabled children are entitled to an assessment even if the person they care for does not receive care and support services.

Teams in Southend providing support include;

Southend Preparing for Adulthood team 

Making it work Southend Care specialist employment service provides people with learning disabilities the opportunity to access all types of employment, including voluntary, work experience and paid employment. The service also provides travel training where needed and advice on employment related matters.

Transition Assessment

The transition assessment may be combined with other assessments being carried out for example by education and/or health services. The council can be flexible as to when the assessment is carried out. The transition period could start from when the child is 14.

Children’s services should work with adult and community services to provide a transition plan. Some children receiving support from children’s services will not be eligible for support from adult services once the child is 18.

If there is likely to be care and support provided after the child reaches 18 then the services currently provided should continue until the transition assessment has been completed and a support plan agreed.

A transition assessment considers;

• The current needs of the person.
• What needs they are likely to have when they (or the child they care for) reach 18.
• Desired outcomes including; employment, education/training, independent living, relationships and social activities.
• Whether the care is able and willing to continue caring now and when the child turns 18.
• The carers desired outcomes regarding work, education/training and recreational and social activities.

Once the assessment is completed advice and information should be given on;

• Support that can be expected once the disabled child becomes 18. 
• If services will not continue information should be given on how the needs can be met or reduced which will include advice on what can be done to stay well and prevent or delay needs arising in the future. 
• If services will continue the transfer to adult service care is discussed including the changes in benefits, carer’s assessments and direct payments more information can be found in the section on Direct Payments 
• Taster sessions in colleges or employment may be organised. 

Planning for the Unexpected 

It is helpful to prepare for the unexpected by thinking through what you want to happen if for example a parent /carer was unexpectedly admitted to hospital and replacement care for one or more children would need to organised quickly. Discussing this with family and friends in advance and creating a plan can bring ‘peace of mind’. It is advisable to create a record of key information that anyone providing replacement care needs, such as how to enter the home, important contact details, current medication, any allergies and also likes and dislikes, favourite things which bring comfort whether that be a favourite item or a piece of music for example. Also providing details of familiar routines can be helpful so that the person you care for feels safe and less anxious.

If you have a pet think about their care too, they may stay in the family home but maybe a friend will be willing to take responsibility for their care needs e.g. feeding, dog walking. On the other hand, there may be a friend or member of the extended family who can take the pet in temporarily.

It is advisable to keep this information in one place where it will be found easily. You may want to make a few copies to be kept in different places and/or by different people who support you with the caring role. See below for a suggestion of what should be included in your plan;

Name and contact details for;

• You and the person you care for Back up carer if there is one Next of kin
• GP, pharmacy and other health care professionals School contact details
• For additional children in the family
• Contact details of any other relatives who need to be informed
• Details of any additional people who children under 18 will need to stay with or who will come to stay with them
• School contact details name and contact details of school lead

Care details;

• Medication the person you look after is taking and where it is stored, (this information needs to be frequently reviewed and updated)
• Details of any allergies
• Any ongoing treatment any care and support services they receive Any continence products needed and who supplies them
• Any mobility challenges and mobility aids such as a wheelchair or hoist
• Likes and dislikes, favourite things which bring comfort whether that be a favourite item, music or hobby for example.
• Provide details of familiar routines – helpful so that the person you care for feels safe and less anxious.
• Any triggers which people need to be aware of which negatively affect the person you care for

Details of;

• How to access the property is there a key safe or give details of anyone who has a spare key
• Any key information about the person’s home, for example how to turn the central heating on any Power of Attorney, Deputyship or Guardianship that’s in place any advance care plan that has been made.
• Long term or complex health condition – Emergency Healthcare plan

For some children and young people with a long term or complex health condition it is advisable to have an Emergency Healthcare Plan (EHP).

This brief document provides key information about a child’s condition. In the event of a health emergency, having an Emergency Healthcare Plan can make communication easier and ensure that a child:

• is treated as promptly as possible receives the right treatment
• has the right experts involved in their care.

An Emergency Healthcare Plan is drawn up between parents and a healthcare professional. For more details please refer to the Council for Disabled Children; https:/ councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/our- work/health-and-wellbeing/practice/emergency-healthcare-plans

In Case of Emergency (ICE) 

ICE (In Case of Emergency) is a campaign started by a paramedic to help emergency staff quickly find who to contact. You can store the word ICE in your mobile phone address book with the number of the person you’d like people to contact, for example your back-up carer. If something happens to you, ambulance, police or hospital staff will look for the word ICE in your phone’s address book and call that person. If your phone has a lock with a password, you can put ICE information on your phone’s lock screen. Your phone instruction manual will have information about how to do this.

Fire Safety

Another aspect to consider would be to ensure the young carer and the whole family know what to do if there is a fire at home. Most local fire and rescue services offer free of charge Home Fire Safety Checks. You may be eligible for free smoke alarms to be fitted where required. You will not be sold anything. For more information and to book your free home safety check contact the Essex County Fire & Rescue Service website or call 0300 303 0088. More details about equipment and technology to keep you safe can be found in this e-handbook in the section Equipment and Technology.

Some charities have provided templates or advice to help you keep a record of important information such as;

• Carers UK have an interactive online tool to identify the information to include in your plan https:/carersdigital.org/mybackup/

Southend University Hospital, Hospital Passport suitable for adults with learning difficulties,

http:/ www.southend.nhs.uk/media/117955/ld_hospital_passport.pdf 

Apps such as Carers UK ‘Jointly’ can also be used to keep all important information in one place and shared by the people within your ‘care circle’ https:/ jointlyapp.com/

The local authority social services may be able to advise you on how they would provide emergency care in the event of no other support being available.

Useful Links and Organisations 

Some groups supporting children with disabilities and their families are listed below. More can be found on the Southend Borough Council’s Livewell website.   

Contact for families of disabled children https://contact.org.uk/ a national charity with a free telephone helpline 0808 808 3555.  The aim of the charity is to help families feel valued, supported, confident and informed.  They offer advice and support on a range of topics including completing DLA forms and other benefits, education, specific medical conditions and the organisation runs workshops and events.   

Citizens Advice Southend a local charity which can offer advice and support for completing DLA disability benefit forms.  Southend Carers can make a referral for you to this service. 

Scope the disability equality charity in England and Wales. 

Southend SEND Independent Forum  Working in Southend to promote greater transparency so that all parents and carers understand what services are available to them and how they can gain access. Details of support services can be found on the Southend SEND Independent Forum website 

Their aims are;  

• to significantly improve services for all SEND children and young adults no matter what the disability or additional need.  
• To build strong connections with already well established family groups and networks  

• to bring to the attention of the relevant service’s the views of parents and carers  

Little Heroes Little Heroes ASD Support Group is a parent led support group for families of children who are on the autistic spectrum. 

Friends and Places Together F&PT offers the opportunity for those aged 13–25 to meet up with friends outside of the school or college environment. 

SEND the Right Message   

A specialist one-stop information advice service & online resource support for SEND families in Southend & surrounding areas. 

Their aim is to encourage, support, inform, grow your confidence, increase your resilience, empower you & enable you to provide the best possible help to your children via a range of online resources. 

Family Voice Southend is made up of parents who know how complex and difficult life can be as a family with a child or young person with a disability of any kind.  

Southend Mencap supporting people with a learning disability to do the things they love. 

SNAP Special Needs And Parents  an Essex charity running telephone and email helpline, an online directory and run information sessions and events resources include play facilities and sensory room at hteir base in Brentwood. 

Megacentre Rayleigh community services are run by trained youth and family workers, the resources available include a sensory room. 

SAFE a support group for individuals and families affected by Asperger Syndrome (AS) andHigh Functioning Autism (HFA) in Essex, including Southend.

Summercare information, advice and social events 

Active Southend includes sports and clubs suitable for people with a disability 

Family Line a free service provided by charity Family Action Supporting adult family members via telephone, text, email and web