The Princess Royal Trust
Carers Centre
(Falkirk and Clackmannanshire)
Growing up
Moving on
Information Pack
for
Parents and Carers of
Young People with Special Needs
Managed by:
Central Carers Association (Falkirk & Clackmannan)
Company Limited by Guarantee
Company No. 184443
Scottish Charity number SCO 23658
Contents
1. /Introduction
2. / The Carers Centre3. / Planning for the future
4. / Social Work Services
5. / Health & Well Being
6. / Education
7. / Employment
8. / Leaving Home
9. / Money Matters
10. / Social & Leisure Time
11. / Taking a Break
12. / Evaluation Form
* 3rd Edition - Updated January 2008
Section 1
Introduction
Young people who have additional support needs or disabilities require parents and carers to be well informed and able to assist in the planning for and preparation of their future. More than ever, their own wishes and ability to manage aspects of adult life must be taken into account.
Adult services take the place of children’s services, welfare benefits and entitlements change, decisions have to be made about education, employment and housing.
By the age of 16, young people have the right to make decisions for themselves. Some young adults have limited ability to make sound decisions about welfare and/or financial issues for themselves and may require someone to be appointed to do this on their behalf. As a parent you may not always agree with those decisions and will have to find a balance between allowing them their right to choose, whilst providing an appropriate level of support.
This is a time of change for the parent/carer also. There may be greater or fewer limitations on your time, adjustments to the household income and opportunities to do different things with your life. It can be helpful to know what the rights of both yourself and the young person are at this time.
Growing up/Moving on follows and provides information on the next stages as described in the Information Pack for Parent Carers of Children with Special Needs (Revised 2007) and is a supplement to the Carers Information Pack (Revised 2007), both of which are produced by the Carers Centre. It has been produced in response to requests for information from parents and carers and aims to outline the key issues, providing information and sources of further information and help in the Falkirk and Clackmannanshire areas. It is funded by the Strategy for Carers (Falkirk) and produced by the Princess Royal Trust Carers Centre (Falkirk and Clackmannanshire).
I acknowledge with thanks the contributions from parents who took the time to share their experiences and knowledge and from colleagues in the statutory services and voluntary sector.
Every effort has been made to include as much accurate, up to date information as is possible in an ever-changing situation. Any inclusion or omission does not constitute endorsement or criticism by the Carers Centre.
Jenni Fulton
Parents Worker
January 2008
Section 2
Princess Royal Trust Carers Centre
(Falkirk & Clackmannanshire)
The Carers Centre
1a Bank Street
FALKIRK
FK1 1NB
Telephone (01324) 611510
Fax (01324) 622022
Website:
Alloa Office
The Whins Resource Centre
Whins Road
ALLOA
Clackmannanshire
FK10 3RH
Telephone/Fax (01259) 219288
The Carers Befriending Project
1a Bank Street
FALKIRK
FK1 1NB
Email:
Young Carers Project
1a Bank Street
FALKIRK
FK1 1NB
Email:
Managed by:
Central Carers Association (Falkirk & Clackmannan)
Company Limited by Guarantee
Company No. 184443
Scottish Charity number SCO 23658
The Princess Royal Trust Carers Centre
The Carers Centre was opened in January 1996 to provide information, advice and support to carers and former carers of all ages living in Falkirk and Clackmannanshire, and to encourage the development of local services that are sensitive to the needs and wishes of carers.
The Centre, which is situated in Newmarket Street in Falkirk (opposite Asda) and the Alloa Office, situated in the Whins Resource Centre, Whins Road, Alloa are both wheelchair accessible with accessible toilet facilities.
Carers can call in to the Centre in Falkirk from 10am to 2.30pm, Monday to Thursday and 10am to 1pm on Friday, or can telephone from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. The Alloa Office is normally staffed from 10am to 2pm Monday to Friday. However, it is recommended that you call first to make an appointment. There is a 24-hour answer phone service outwith these times.
What We Offer
- A telephone and drop in information and advice service for carers, providing information on services, benefits, respite, holidays, support groups, transport and many other topics of interest to carers
- Advocacy
- Individual support and a sympathetic ear
- Opportunities to meet other carers and former carers
- Carers Support Groups
- Activities, outings and social events
- A regular newsletter covering issues of interest to carers
- Help with form filling
- Individual and group support and activities for young carers
- A Carers Befriending Service
- An opportunity to have your say in the development of local health and community care services
Princess Royal Trust Carers Centre
(Falkirk & Clackmannanshire)
Carers Groups and Information Sessions
Although we try to keep times and dates of sessions constant, changes may occur from time to time. It is therefore advisable to contact the Centre to confirm the details of groups and local sessions.
Falkirk District
Carers Lunch
All carers in Falkirk district are invited to lunch on the first Tuesday of every month from 12noon - 2 pm in the St Francis Xavier’s Church Hall, Hope Street, Falkirk.
Men's Group
A group for male carers meets for lunch on the first Tuesday of every month from 12 noon - 2 pm, contact Anne on 01324 626046 for details of venue. At this meeting an outing is planned for later in the month.
Women's Group
A Women’s Social Group meets on the third Wednesday of the month, 10.30 am -12.30 Falkirk (or elsewhere if an outing has been arranged). A programme of talks and activities is available from the Carers Centre.
Parents Group
A support group for parents of children with special needs meets on the first Tuesday of each month from 7.30 pm - 9.30 pm and there is a drop-in session on the first Friday of each month 10.30am - 12.00noon in theCarers Centre. (term time)
Bo’ness Information Session
Information sessions with speakers on various topics are held on the last Wednesday of each month from 10.30 am - 12.30 pm in Salvation Army Hall, Corbiehall, Bo’ness.
Clackmannanshire
Carers Lunch
All carers in Clackmannanshire are invited to lunch on the second Wednesday of every month from 12 noon - 1.30 pm. Contact the Alloa office for details of venue.
Support Group for Carers in Clackmannanshire
A support group meets on the last Monday of every month from 7.30pm - 9 pm in the Alloa Office, Whins Resource Centre, Whins Road, Alloa.
Learning Disabilities Group
A support group for carers of people with learning disabilities meets on the second Wednesday of every month from 7.30pm - 9.30 pm in the Alloa Office, Whins Resource Centre, Whins Road, Alloa.
Dollar Carers Coffee Morning
All carers in and around Dollar are invited to a coffee morning held on the last Thursday of every month at 10.00 am in The Castle Campbell Hotel, Dollar.
All of the above groups are open to new members. Help with transport and alternative care costs may be available. Please phone the Carers Centre or the Alloa Office to make arrangements. We also have information on support groups facilitated by other organisations.
Young Carers Groups
Groups for young carers meet regularly in Falkirk & Clackmannanshire. Contact the Young Carers Project on 01324 611510 or the Alloa Office for details.
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Growing Up Moving On Information Pack Section 2 – April 2008
Young Carers Project
The Young Carers Project provides support for children and young people (18 and under) who have caring responsibilities at home. They may be involved in the care of a parent or a sibling, who has a disability, illness, mental health or substance abuse problems. Information, advice and individual support is available. There are several groups for young carers who meet for fun activities and outings or to explore issues relevant to their caring situations. Young carers can be referred to the Project by parents, Social Work Services or schools.
Young Carers Schools Project
The Young Carers Schools Project provides support for young people (High School pupils aged between 12 and 18 years) who have caring responsibilities at home. They may be involved in the care of a parent or a sibling who has a disability, illness, mental health or substance abuse problems. Information, advice and individual support is available to help address topics such as educational achievement, health issues and local community services. Support is offered in a practical way either on a one to one basis or within small groups. The Young Carer School Liaison Workers can also act as a link between young carers and their families and schools. Young carers can be referred to the Project by school staff, Social Work Services or other professional agencies.
A Telephone Befriending Service and befriending for young carers is also available.
Carers Befriending Project
Because of their caring responsibilities, carers can become isolated, tied to their homes and out of touch with friends and family. When breaks can be arranged they may not have the confidence or the desire to go out by themselves. The Carers Befriending Project provides the carer with the opportunity to be linked with a volunteer Befriender who will offer companionship and support by visiting on a regular basis, accompanying the carer on outings, perhaps to the shops or out for a coffee, or to formal meetings or appointments. This service is also available for young carers.
For further information contact:
The Carers Befriending Project
Bank Chambers
1a Bank Street
Falkirk FK1 1NB
Tel (01324) 611510
Email:
Carer Participation
The Carers Centre facilitates the Carers Consultative Forum in Falkirk and Focus Groups in Clackmannanshire. These allow carers to meet together to discuss issues relevant to their situation and to ensure that planners of local health and social work services are aware of carers’ views. Please contact us if for more information.
How to Contact Us
You can contact the Carers Centre or the Alloa Office by telephone, post, fax, email or you can drop into the Centre or make an individual appointment to visit the Alloa Office. Information can be obtained from our website:
You can also contact us by completing the tear-off slip attached to the Evaluation Sheet included in this pack.
Carers can call in to the Centre in Falkirk from 9.30-2.30, Monday to Thursday and 9.30 to 1.00 on Friday, or can telephone from 9.00 to 4.00, Monday to Friday. The Alloa Office is open from 10am to 2pm Monday to Friday (please telephone first to make an appointment). There is a 24-hour answer phone service outwith these times.
Home Visits
If you are unable to call at the Centre, or our Alloa Office, we may be able to arrange for a member of staff to visit you at home.
Complaints Procedure
We aim to provide a responsive and effective service. If you can see ways in which we can improve or develop any aspect of our service, or if you feel dissatisfied with the service we offer, please contact the Carers Centre for details of our Comments and Complaints Procedure.
Data Protection
Central Carers Association adheres to the Data Protection Act 1998, ensuring any information supplied to us is treated in the strictest confidence and not shared with any third parties unless explicit consent has been obtained.
We are committed to running an organisation with high standards of organisational and operational practice. To that end, the Centre operates a continuous programme addressing quality issues.
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Growing Up Moving On Information Pack Section 2 – April 2008
The Princess Royal Trust Carers Centre
1a Bank Street
FALKIRK FK1 1NB
Telephone (01324) 611510
Fax (01324) 622022
Alloa Office
The Whins Resource Centre
Whins Road
ALLOA FK10 3RH
Telephone/Fax (01259) 219288
Page 1
Growing Up Moving On Information Pack Section 2 – April 2008
Section 3
Planning for the Future
Parents and carers of young people with additional support needs naturally have concerns about the future, particularly if those needs are severe or complex, as the additional challenges of adulthood arise.
Long before they are due to leave school and move on, you and the young person will start to make decisions about the future.
Planning usually takes place through and with the support of the school or education department. You may wish to start this process by asking the school to set up the first meetings.
Transition meeting
A Transition Meeting may be arranged by the school and other people who are involved with your child. The parent/carer will be invited to attend this meeting along with the head teacher, additional support for learning co-ordinator or pupil support teacher, the young person’s social worker, educational psychologist and other professionals who are currently involved, and those who may be about to become involved, for example a day centre or college.
This meeting should take place at least 6 months before the young person is due to leave school and ideally well before then. Usually people leave school between the ages of 16 and 18 although there are a range of alternatives available at local colleges at which full or part-time placement may be arranged.
What happens after school is discussed at this meeting. Information should be gathered from a range of sources with which to develop an effective transition plan. The parent or carer is entitled to invite an advocate or person to support them at this meeting. If appropriate the young person may also wish to attend with an advocate or support worker.
Options to consider at 16+ could include:
- Stay on at school
- Go to college or university
- Go on a training scheme
- Get a job
- Do voluntary work
- Go to a day centre
- Where to live
- Finances
- Finding new social outlets
- Life skill required, such as managing money or using public transport
For further information and contact details see the next sections of this pack.
Other considerations
Person Centred Planning and use of appropriate communication tools such as Maps, Paths, Lifestyle Plans and Talking Mats can help ensure that the young person’s wishes needs and rights are heard, recorded and acted upon. Speak to the workers who are most closely involved, such as education, learning disability workers or speech and language therapists to establish what methods might best help your child.
It may be necessary for additional support in the form of Support for Learning Assistant, special teaching methods or Care Workers to be organised in order that the young person can access places at college etc.
Section 4
Social Work Services
Community Care Services
A young person may have received services from the Children and Families Teams or the Children with Disabilities Team. They will help to find and get to know a social worker or other appropriate worker from the local Community Care Team and arrange the transition to the adult service. Community Care teams assess and provide Social Work Services for people once they reach adulthood. They are designed to enable people who have an illness or disability to live at home by ensuring the right type and amount of support is in place, both for themselves and for their carers.
In Clackmannanshire the service is not divided by age in the same way although there are social workers who specialise in children.
It is important to be aware that although a young person may need additional support for learning they may not be considered to be disabled. This can affect their entitlement to certain benefits and services.
Referral
A young person reaching adulthood can refer him or herself, or he/she can be referred by the carer or through other agencies that are involved.
The range of services that can be provided or arranged through Social Work Service following a Community Care Assessment includes:
- Home care
- Day care
- Meals service
- Welfare benefits and debt advice
- Disability information
- Occupational therapy
- Equipment and adaptations for disabled people
- Mobile emergency care service
- Short breaks/respite care
- Residential care
- Lunch clubs/social clubs
- Advice and counselling
Community Care Assessment
You can ask your local social work office to carry out a Community Care assessment with the person you care for to find out what help they need. A member of social work staff will normally arrange to meet you and the person you care for to discuss their care needs and the kind of assistance required. Staff from other agencies, such as health, can also carry out community care assessments.
As a carer, your needs will be taken into account but you are also entitled to a separate Carer’s Assessment.
Carer’s Assessment
You can ask for a separate Carer’s Assessment at any time to discuss your situation as a carer and the type of support you feel you need to help you to continue caring. This might be information or advice, a chance to meet other carers, or a break from caring. The Carer’s Assessment should look at the tasks you have to perform and how you are coping with caring. It should take account of your circumstances, age, views and the amount of help you receive. It should not be assumed that you are able or willing to continue caring or to continue to provide the same level of support. You are entitled to receive a written copy of your assessment and its conclusions.
Cost
Assessment and advice are free of charge. Services identified as a result of assessment may however incur charges. This will be explained to you and will be calculated depending on income and capital. As an adult with their own income, be it from benefit or other sources, the young person requiring the service will be the person asked to pay. As a carer you will generally not be asked about your finances.
This assessment carried out by the social worker should not affect whether the needs of the young person will be met by Social Work Services.