Families who have children with additional needs or disabilities are included in all aspects of the services provided by Sure Start Children’s Centres.
Specific support is also available either in the home, in a group, or in other settings; working with the child and parent/carer to help and encourage development of skills and milestones.
Staff also work closely with colleagues from:
- the Portage Service (Support at home for children with additional needs)
- speech and language therapists
- occupational therapists
- physiotherapists
- the Child Development Centre
- the Multi Agency Child and Family Support Services
- colleagues from the voluntary and independent sectors
Many staff are trained to deliver Portage using play principles and can communicate using Makaton sign language. In addition, in some areas there are Stay and Play sessions tailored to meet the needs of families who have a child with a disability.
Portage
Portage is a home visiting educational service for pre-school children who have additional support needs and their families. Shropshire’s Sure Start Children’s Centres work closely with the Portage Home Visiting Team to offer families with a child under five years of age access to Portage Play, delivered in a family’s own home by a trained member of the Children’s Centre team. Goals may focus on developing movement, learning, play, communication and participation in the activities of everyday living.
PlayPals
Playpals is a monthly group, run in Shrewsbury by a member of the Children’s Centres team, to offer support and friendship to families from all over the county who may have a child with an additional need or disability. Every child and family is welcomed and activities are tailored especially to the needs of those attending (for details ring 01743 452400).
Child Development Centre
Staff from Shropshire’s Sure Start Children’s Centres support groups run at the Child Development Centre alongside staff from the Multi Agency Child and Family Support Services (for details ring 01743 452400).
Crèche Services
Shropshire’s Sure Start Children’s Centres also offer a mobile crèche provision to support families accessing courses and training opportunities. The Crèche team are supported in welcoming children with additional needs into a crèche and have a designated Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator, who ensures that the individual needs of children are met.
Shropshire and Telford Parent Partnership Service
Children’s Centres can help guide families to the Parent Partnership Service, who provide independent information and support across the Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin area, to parents and carers of children with special educational needs . The Parent Partnership also offer a range of flexible services for parents and carers to help empower them to play an active and informed role in their child’s education. (for more information please follow the Parent Partnership link at the bottom of this page)
The Rainbow Pack
The Rainbow pack gives information for parents and carers on services for children with disabilities and additional needs in Shropshire between the ages of 0-19 years as well as information about local groups and voluntary agencies.
Please use the link at the bottom of this page to access a copy of the rainbow pack or ring Shropshire Family Information Service on 01743 254400 for further details.
Further information
For additional Information on any of the services or support offered by Shropshire Sure Start Children's Centres please contact:
- North Shropshire Areas (01691) 656513
- Central Shropshire Areas (01743) 452400
- South Shropshire Areas (01694) 723465
At the bottom of this page there are also links to the following agencies who offer additional support for children, parents and carers.
Action for Children
Action for Children works with disabled children, young people and their families to provide specialist help and support.
Barnardo’s
Barnardo's offer a wide range of support services for children, young people and their families. The website will tell you more about their work and how they can help children, such as young carers.
Early Support
Early Support is a national programme for families with children under 5 that have disabilities.
National Portage Association
Portage is a home visiting educational service for pre-school children with additional support needs and their families.
Parent and Carer Council Shropshire (PACC)
PACC help to keep parents and carers informed about, consulted about, and participating in, developments which affect their children.
Young Carers Group – Red Cross
The Young Carers Service at the Red Cross can put you in touch with other people who can help you. They will listen to what you have to say and may be able to help you take a break from caring occasionally.