Rights for carers of children with special needs

In addition to the Leeds strategy to improve the lives of children with disabilities, specific rights have also been developed nationally for carers, including the right to an assessment and receiving direct payments.

Parent Carer’s Needs Assessment
This assessment is included in the integrated needs assessment that is used by both Leeds health and social care professionals, when arranging the help that your child and your family needs. To obtain one please follow these steps. 

• 1. Ask your GP, health visitor or therapist, paediatrician, nursery nurse or  Social Care office to start the process
• 2. A worker will be allocated and the initial assessment will be carried out in seven working days of the request
• 3. A full Integrated Needs Assessment, if needed, should be done within 35 working days
• 4. If the need is for one service only, a full assessment will not be necessary but you can request one. Either way, you will be given a copy of the plan
• 5. Services and equipment that it is agreed to be provided under that assessment may take longer to arrange or install

2000 Carers and Disabled Children Act
This legislation entitled parent-carers of disabled children to receive direct payments for the cost of the social care services their children are receiving, on their behalf.

Leeds Disabled Children and Young People’s Strategy 2008 to 2011
Leeds aims to provide children the systems and support from the onset of the disability all the way through to adulthood and give the same high standards that we want for everyone growing up in Leeds. This includes giving disabled children places to go, things to do and people to talk to and consistently engaging them and their parents or carers in decisions and planning that aims to improve their lives.

The following key strategic objectives have been identified in delivering this vision.

• Robust data
• Information for families
• Participation 
• Early support
• Assessment
• Play and leisure
• Short breaks
• Transport
• Child care
• Transition to adult services
• Self-directed support
• Palliative care
• Continuing care
• Equipment and housing adaptions

To find out more, please see the Disabled Children Strategy, which is in the download section on the right.

Advocacy
Advocacy is a way of protecting and asserting your rights when dealing with organisations, to find out more please visit the advocacy page.

For other pages in this section, useful web addresses, leaflets and contacts please follow the links on the right.

Contacts