PARENTS INCLUSION NETWORK

MARCH 2011

Hope everyone is well and looking forward to spring.

Our regular PIN lunches have been working really well and parents have been getting a lot out of them. Our next get-togethers have been arranged for:

  • Dumfries, Moreig Hotel, from 12.00 – 2.00, Wednesday, 20,April
  • Moffat, Buccleuch Arms, from 12.00 – 2.00, Tuesday, 10 May

Lunch is provided and PIN pays for any travel and/or child care costs.

DALSCONE FAMILY DAY: Families are invited to Dalscone Play Centre, Edinburgh Road, Dumfries for our traditional family session. We have booked the entire venue and entrance is free (there may be additional costs for some outdoor activities.) Food is available to buy. Please come, the centre will be open to us from 5.00 – 7.00pm, on Thursday, 14 April. See you there

TRAINING EVENTS

Understanding and Managing Behaviour – This training session provides further information on the importance of understanding how your child is affected by their disability, in order to understand behaviour. The training will explain the ‘iceberg’ theory which supports parents and carers to see behaviour as communication and then work out how they might go on to try to develop possible strategies. The training will be delivered by the Autism Spectrum Disorder Integration Network (ASDIN). Although the information and strategies suggested in the training are usually used for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) they have also been found to work really well for children with other disabilities as well.

Dumfries, Thursday, 26 May, 10.30 – 2.30, North West Resource Centre, College Drive

Stranraer, Friday, 3 June, 10.30 – 2.30, Stranraer Library, North Strand Street

Tea, coffee and lunch is provided. PIN pays for any travel and child care costs.

Please contact PIN if you would like to come – 01387252683,

Power of Attorney, Guardianship and Discretionary Trusts – We also plan to deliver training on a very difficult area – planning for our children for when they become legal adults. This will cover two important areas parents need to plan for:

  • Power of Attorney and Guardianship, the processes where parents can have legal say over their child’s finances and welfare once they become 18 and
  • Discretionary trusts, which are part of the will, which makes sure any money left to the young person takes account of their disability.

Transition training– we are still hoping to deliver it, but not until June. It will cover all transitions, but concentrate on the big one – from Children’s Services into Adult Services.

We will let you know the dates for the above sessions as soon as they are arranged.Autism Drop-in

Partners in Autism would like to invite you and your son/daughter to an informal information event for you to find out what’s happening in Dumfries and Galloway for children, young people and adults with Autism and to share your thoughts and ideas with us. Drop in to Turning Point Scotland,

22 Newall Terrace, Dumfries, anytime between 12.00 – 8.00pm on 31 March. If you would like to drop in,phone Turning Point on 01387 247123 or email If you can’t make it please let PIN know what you would like to see regarding autism services in D and G and we will pass it on.

The Robert Burns Film Theatre

The centre is now screening accessible films for anyone with a disabilitywho would enjoy a ‘low sensory environment’. Anyone who needs to bring along a helper to assistthem in any way will receive a complimentary ticket. Please phone 01387 264808 or check thewebsite: for a film schedule.

DGVoice(formerlyknown as Dumfries and Galloway Coalition for Disabled People)

This organisation has been re-launched as DGVoice. They aim to be the representative voice of disabled people in this region. They are holding a conference aimed at young people with disabilities, age 12 – 25 and their parents and carers on 24 June at DGOne. The aim is to enable disabled young people to be able to say what needs to happen for them to live their lives to the full. Contact PIN for more information.

DockPark in Dumfries is being revamped and the Council is looking at ways to include play areas that are accessible to a wide range of users and age groups. If you would like to discuss these plans and have any input into them, please contact Andrew Pattinson, , or phone PIN, 01387 252683.

Support groups in Dumfries and Galloway

  • Stranraer: Making a Difference-meets the last Wednesday of the month from 5.00 – 6.00 at Park Children’s Services Centre. Please phone Park Children’s Services Centre, 01776 889472
  • Dumfries:ADHD support group – meets monthly on Wednesday mornings at Georgetown Library. Phone PIN, 01387 252683 or email
  • Dumfries:Chameleon support group – meets monthly at the North West Resource Centre. Phone Richard Davidson at the Oasis Youth Centre for details, 01387 260243
  • Dumfries: NAS support group – meets the first Wednesday evening of the month at the Princes Royal Trust for Carers. Contact PIN for details.

Netherlea and Oakfield project: plans to combine both Short Breaks Services on one site, for children and young people with disabilities from birth to 18 years. If you want to be involved in this project phone PIN 01387 252683 or email

National Advocacy Service for Additional Support Needs – if you feel you have grounds to make a referral to the Additional Support Needs Tribunals for Scotland, contact a new advocacy service called Take Note. They can help you through the process and speak on your behalf. Contact PIN for details. Further information can also be found at

Equity in Educationis a charity which works toward inclusive education in Scotland. Unfortunately it will have to close as they don’t have enough directors to be able to carry on. They hope to be able to continue with the remaining 11 months of Transforming Transitions, the part of the service which offers person centred planning for young people involved in any transition at school. The service is free and is offered to children and young people in South Scotland. Contact Robert Weetman, or phone: 0131 2285929.

1 Gordon Street

Dumfries DG1 1EG

01387 252683

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Registered charity No SC037461 / Registered company No 301669