ForDisabledChildren

sefton.gov.uk/aiminghigh

17 Summer2015

Aiming High’s Ability Counts football teamwere about much more than ability recentlyand were a credit to themselves.Find out more on page 6

02 Aiming High

HelloWelcome to theSummer 2015 issueof Aiming High forDisabled Children(AHDC), which I amsure will whet yourappetite for asummer of brilliant

activities and the much needed respitethat brings for parents/carers too. Our Aiming High Short Breaksprogrammes go from strength tostrength, with their popularity reflected inthe high turnout for our summer selectiondays. You can read about the Easterholiday and Whit half-term programmesto give you an insight into the invaluablesupport Aiming High provides. You canalso find out about a short break with adifference as Aiming High teamed upwith Merseyside Fire and Rescue Serviceto give children a day out they will neverforget. For those of you with children age 5 yearsand under with a disbility or SEN,children’s centres in Sefton are providinga range of activities, including family fundays and sensory play sessions. Many ofthe sensory sessions take place at Jake’sSensory World, which is open to childrenand young people of all ages and theirfamilies. You can find out more about“Jake’s” on Page 4. One of the aims of this newsletter is toinform parents and carers and to makelife a little bit easier. This is neatly reflectedby the Positive Parenting Programme andthe nine week Stepping Stones element of

it that has recently been delivered by theAiming High Family Support Team. Thistraining equips families to supportchildren and young people, benefittingboth carers and children alike. You canfind out more on Page 5. The Family Support Team are alwayslooking at ways to help families — thebest way to keep abreast of the supportthey provide is to sign up the DisabledChildren’s Register, (see below).The Local Offer continues to evolve, and Iwant to take this opportunity to thankparents / carers, staff and partners alikefor their continued feedback through boththe SEN Reform and Local Offer sub-groups. I know that we are constantlylooking for ways to improve the LocalOffer website, which you can view atseftondirectory.co.uk/localoffer Following the full launch of the Local Offer,Sefton’s Information, Advice and SupportService (SENDIASS) received a spike incalls regarding disability and SEN relatedbullying in schools. This increase in callsreflected a broader issue that is beingaddressed on a local and national levelby the Department for Education. In thisnewsletter you can read about aprogramme being delivered by SeftonCouncil and the Anti Bullying Alliance(ABA), to parents, carers and school staff. The SEN Reform sub-group continues toplay a crucial role of challenge andaccountability as the Local Authoritycarries out reforms during a period ofsignificant change. A key part of thesereforms has been the Preparing forAdulthood Pathway, which continues to

focus on young people leading the mostindependent and fulfilling lives that theycan when they move into adulthood,whether that means through education,training, volunteering, leisure or familytime. Find out more on Page 7.It is with the ‘Pathway’ in mind that I wantto draw your attention to our InclusionPractitioner for the Aiming High ShortBreaks team, Leanne Connor. Leanne’smain focus is to ensure that young adultsage 19-25yrs enjoy a stimulatingprogramme of leisure activities tailored totheir needs. If Leanne looks familiar tomany of you, it is because she is! I knowLeanne will bring her usual mix offriendliness and professionalism to thisnew role. Staying with young adults, our rovingAiming High reporter Diane Jonesupdates us on what she has been up tosince our Spring Issue, needless to say ithas been non-stop for the irrepressableDiane. Last but not least, I want to give a big paton the back to the young men in AimingHigh’s Ability Counts football team, who Ithink you will agree cut impressive figureson our front cover. They gave a strongshowing at the George Best InternationalFootball tournament in Belfast and werenot only a credit to themselves, but totheir coaches, families and Sefton too.Well done. Kind regardsJacqui Kerr, Service ManagerEarly Intervention and Prevention(Family Support)

Are you registered yet? By registering your child youwill be able to find out about and access a range ofuseful information and services by receiving a copy ofthis newsletter directly by email or post to your home.

You can register online atseftondirectory.co.uk/localoffer

If you do not have access to the internet ring theAiming High Family Support Team on0151 934 3853 / 3860 and they can help you tocomplete the registration form over the phone or posta copy out to you.

Registering with theDisabled Children’sDatabase

Young adults ‘Can Do’ by Volunteering The ‘Can Do’ Project at Leonard Cheshire Disability forMerseyside are looking for young people with a disability forvoluntary and training opportunities, including:

• Disabled volunteers age 16-35yrs to set up local steeringgroups.

• Delivery of 8-10 week fully funded programmes/activitiesto disabled groups that will result in them getting a Cityand Guild Certificate.

The ‘Can Do’ Project is also looking for groups or collegesthat may be interested in participating.

To register interest or for any enquiries, please emailProgramme Coordinator Victoria Yavuz on:Victoria.Yavuz@leonardcheshire.org

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It was smiles all round asboth of Aiming High’s recentholiday programmes werehailed a great success.

During the Spring Break children andyoung people enjoyed plenty ofactivities across the two weeks. Therewas lots of fun to be had atNetherton Activity Centre, with a fullprogramme and in particular,children playing and losing track oftime in the magical surroundings of

Double the fun with Aiming HighJake’s Sensory World. Meanwhile, atFormby Youth Club, children enjoyedan Easter egg hunt and baking in thekitchen.

Aiming High’s Easter Party, whichincluded games, was enjoyed byeveryone, including staff! Theyounger age group had the option tovisit Under Water Street in LiverpoolCity Centre, gaining independenceand confidence as they travelled withstaff by train from Aintree andSouthport stations. There was no letup in the fun, as children got stuckinto everything from giant bubblemaking to donning chef outfits tocreate mock-up meals in theplasticine kitchen.

Children age 11yrs and over couldembark on a ‘Know Your City’ outing,travelling with staff to Liverpool PierHead and taking in LiverpoolMuseum and the famous ‘Ferry‘cross the Mersey’.

The family fun days were busy withchildren and young people comingalong with their families. The first funday was held at Crosby LakesideAdventure Centre and includedcanoeing, bell boats, a ride on thespeed boat, as well as face painting,arts and crafts and the bouncycastle. The second day was at DunesSplash World in Southport; familiescould enjoy a soft play area, have abounce on the trampolines or strokea snake at the mobile zoo.

Hot on the heels of Easter was theMay Whitsun Holiday programme.During the week long holiday,children and young people couldattend a day at Netherton ActivityCentre or Formby Youth Club, andtake part in multi-sports or arts andcrafts.

There was another ‘Wheels for All’session at Rowan Adventure Park forboth younger and older children.They had lots of fun and tackled allthe fun the adventure park couldthrow at them.

An Aiming High holiday programmewould not be complete without adisco, so it was outfits on and dancemoves at the ready as everyonemoved to the Aiming High beat.Taking place at Crosby LakesideAdventure Centre, the excitement forthe disco built throughout the day asfamilies enjoyed a family fun daycanoeing across the lake andcrabbing on the jetty as the wind andrain proved no barrier at all toSefton’s dynamos!

To find out more about the brilliantshort breaks provided by AimingHigh, contact Aiming High on 0151 288 6811 or by email:aiminghigh@sefton.gov.uk

You can also find out about AimingHigh at sefton.gov.uk/aiminghighor on Facebook /AimingHigh

One young man has a 'Ticket to Ride'on his way to Liverpool

The input of parents andcarers at the Local Offer sub-group mean the websitecontinues to evolve.

It now has a new search bar facility.All Local Offer and other relevantservices can now be found by users

of the site. The ‘Being Active andHaving Fun’ tab now has lots of clubsand activities, including those ofAiming High. There are plans toinclude more images and videos ofshort break activities.

There is also more information to befound on Aiming High’s Family

Support and Transitions teams in the‘Family Support and Social Care’ andPlanning Your Future’ tabs.

There is still a lot more work to doand your feedback is welcomed. Youcan find the Local Offer in the SeftonDirectory: seftondirectory.co.uk

Sefton’s Local Offer: update

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A feast for the senses and lots of fun to boot,Jake’s Sensory World and Garden is nowavailable to everyone, having been a hugesuccess with families of children with specialeducational needs and disabilities (SEND)since it first opened its doors at NethertonActivity Centre. Jake’s offers lots of fun stuff for children and youngpeople to take part in.

Stay and Play sessions are held Monday to Friday forchildren under 5 years only and cost £4.50 per child for90 minutes of play time. You need to call NethertonActivity Centre (NAC) to confirm times (below).

Family sessions are for all the family age 5 years andabove, Monday to Friday from 4- 8pm. Saturday and

Treat for the senses at Jake’s Sensory World

Sunday from 10 - 11.30am and cost £5.50 per child for 90minutes play. No booking required.

Groups can book Jake’s exclusively for their party, at£8.50 per child (min 10 children), which includes:

• Exclusive use of both the sensory room and soft playroom.

• The Party room, for all your party food. Free invitesavailable.

A £25 deposit will secure your booking. The balance canbe paid on the day of the party.

Please note that Netherton Activity Centre has excellentchanging facilities that families using Jake’s can access.

For more information, contact Julie Murphy at NAC on0151 525 5106 or by email: Jakes@sefton.gov.uk Youcan also find Jake’s on Facebook /jakessensoryworld

Sometimes you can neverhave too much choice, butAiming High’s dedicatedteam understands howimportant it is to make theright choice when choosingshort breaks activities for yourchildren and the wider family. Armed with a brilliant array of funstuff to do, the Aiming High ShortBreaks team hosted SummerSelection Days at Dunes SplashWorld in Southport, 7 June andNetherton Activity Centre, 13 June.The selection days are a greatchance for parents and carers to find

Aim High and make Summerbreaks a lifetime of memories

out about the activities on offer andaccess those they want.

This year, children and young peoplecan attend up to eight on-site days,ranging from activity days at one offour schools in Sefton or interest-based drama, science and multi-sports camps. They may also attendup to two off-site activities, includingCrosby Lakeside, ‘Wheels for All’,Farmer Teds and CHET (CrosbyHistorical Educational Trust).

Aiming High realise the benefits ofshort breaks for everyone in thefamily and this Summer’sprogramme is one not to miss! Notonly are there four Family Fun Days,

these are topped off by a specialfamily trip to Chester Zoo and its newtropical islands!

Feedback from the Summer 2014Programme was extemely positive,

“First time doing this but agreat way to book.”“Lots of help on the day!”“Once you know how, it’sstraight forward and simple.”There are still places available for theSummer programme, to book onplease contact Aiming High on 0151 288 6811 or by email:aiminghigh@sefton.gov.uk

For winter 2015/16, you could get£140 off your electricity bill throughthe Warm Home Discount Scheme.

The money isn’t paid to you - it’s a

one-off discount on your electricitybill, usually between September andMarch.

The discount won’t affect any otherpayment: www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme/eligibility

You can also qualify for the discountif you use a pre-pay or pay-as-you-

Help with yourelectricity bill

go electricity meter.

Your electricity supplier can tell youhow you will get the discount if youare eligible. You can check theeligibilty criteria at: www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme/ eligibility

Hi Everyone,

Recently, I have beenbusy rehearsing andtaking part in danceshows.

First of all, my danceclass went to aworkshop in Liverpool.We practised routinesfrom ‘Dirty Dancing’and ‘Hairspray’ whichwere really good fun. A

few weeks later we performed a ‘Hairspray’ numberin our Dance School Anniversary Show.

In the middle of June I am dancing in a SeasideSpecial Variety Show in aid of the Mayor’s CharityFund. We will be performing some serious dancesand also some comedy numbers.

At the moment, I am signed on with Sefton@Work inthe hope of gaining a work placement or a paid job.

I am still enjoying meeting all my friends at our ‘Workin Progress’ youth club. We are looking forward to theend of June when we are going out to Nando’s for aspicy evening meal.

I hope you all have a fun-filled summer!

Bye for now,

Diane

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Diane's News

The Triple P — Positive Parenting Program knowsthat all parents have different needs. That’s whyTriple P offers a number of specialistprogrammes tailored to suit parents with veryspecific needs or circumstances. SteppingStones Triple P is one of them. The Aiming High Family Support team have just completed anine week programme with parents of disabled children.

The programme covers topics on ‘Positive Parenting forChildren with a Disability’; ‘Helping your Child Reach theirPotential’; and ‘Changing Problem Behaviour into PositiveBehaviour’.

The Family Support team has extended thanks to all thoseparents and carers who took part in the programme.

If you are interested in accessing this very useful course infuture, you can contact the Aiming High Family Support teamon 0151 934 3853 or by email: aiminghigh@sefton.gov.uk

Stepping Stones for parents

Attendees of ‘Stepping Stones’ finish their nine week journey

With Compliments“My Son Aaron loves going to his Aiming Highyouth club on Saturday mornings. One morningI heard him call me and I went into his roomand found he had started to dress himself, hewas so keen to get to his youth club! Now he starts trying to dress himself every timehe has youth club and I let him pick his snackand he happily carries his lunch box in. He hasa great time and I get to do the shopping inpeace.” Michelle Worthington, Parent

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Ability Counts for AimingHigh’s football teams, as dothe team spirit and couragethat were on display fromSefton’s young people at arecent football tournament inBelfast, Northern Ireland. In June the team arrived at theGeorge Best International FootballTournament with coaches Kev Black,Jamie Hay, Brendan Griffiths andPaul Wilson in peak form with threeteams ready to compete at threedifferent ability bands. Semi-finalists in 2014, there was a lotof expectation on the shoulders of the‘A Team’, coached by Kev Black. Thisyear they were victims of their ownsuccess following the first round ofgames, which determined the ability

Aiming High take on the ‘Best’ band each team would compete in.In the first round of games theyruthlessly disposed of four teams 4-0,5-0, 6-2 and 3-0. This brilliant run ofresults meant they qualified for theelite band, Category 1 butunfortunately played currentChampions Boyle FC from theRepublic of Ireland. The boys copedwell at this higher level,excruciatingly missing out on thesemi-finals on goal difference. CoachKev Black could not have beenprouder of his players:“I am very proud of the lads, theyequipped themselves fantasticallyagainst far more experienced teams,and have won plaudits from theopposition and organisers for theway in which they have conductedthemselves throughout thecompetition. They are a credit tothemselves and to Sefton”.Jaimie Hay’s ‘B Team’ also took allbefore them in the group stages,until meeting Everton in the finalgame, losing 2-0 in an enthrallingcontest. They came second in thegroup but didn’t make the knock outphase, again due to the scourge ofgoal difference. Jaimie Hay said:“Considering we had the youngestteam in the competition I think thelads performed above what was

expected of them. To run Everton FCas close as we did is a sign of howfar we have come.’The ‘C Team’ were the revelation ofthe tournament. A mix ofinexperience and youth saw themstruggle on the first day, howeverthey raised their game oncompetition day with Dylan Dukeexcelling, scoring nine goals in all. Itwas Dylan’s first taste of football andhe was eventually voted by his peersas 'Player of the Tournament'.Qualification for the semis went tothe final game of the group, butunfortunately a narrow 1-0 defeatsaw them crash out.Although no silverware was broughthome, the tournament was aresounding success. John Doranfrom Aiming High Short Breaks,summed up their performance: “I feel this trip has further developedthe lads, the football was excellentand the team ethic and support foreach other was a pleasure to see.Thelads have won many friends overhere by showing great competitivespirit and sportsmanship. Well doneto them all.”For more information, contact theAiming High Short Breaks team on0151 288 6811 or by email:aiminghigh@sefton.gov.uk

Leanne Connor was recentlyappointed as Inclusion Practitionerfor the Aiming High Short BreaksTeam. Her role will be to set up arange of sustainable services foryoung adults in Sefton, in partnershipwith organisations that are interestedin promoting and developing healthylifestyles for them.

In recent weeks she has been busymeeting a lot of Sefton partners,

Aiming High for youngadults with new support and services

employees and organisations thatare already established. Leanne islooking at delivering a consultationevent to get a better understandingof what our disabled young adultswould like to access in the Seftonarea. This will give her a greaterknowledge and understanding whendesigning and creating new leisureactivities that will help support thetransition groups to be a success.

If you are aged 19 -25 and have anyideas or suggestions for activitiesand services you would like toaccess, please contact Leanne on0151 288 6820 / 07816 338 416 orby email:Leanne.Connor@sefton.gov.uk

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Importantinformation for disabled movie goersThe CEA Card is a national cardscheme developed by the CinemaExhibitors’ Association (CEA) for UKcinemas. The scheme wasintroduced in 2004 and is one ofthe ways for participating cinemasto ensure they make reasonableadjustments for disabled guestswhen they go to the cinema.Importantly, it ensures acomplimentary ticket forsomeone to go with them.

The cost is £6 per year and youcan only apply when your child isage 8yrs and over.

Find out more atceacard.co.uk/index

Sefton Council will work with the Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA) from 1 April2015 — 31 March 2016 on aprogramme, funded by theDepartment for Education, toestablish champion areas forreducing the bullying of disabledchildren and those with SEN inschools.

ABA will provide:

• Two training sessions for parentsand carers of disabled childrenand those with SEN (15-30 at eachsession), whilst this training willprovide specific information forparents/carers of disabled childrenand those with SEN, it will also be

Champions to supportchildren in Seftonschools

appropriate for all parents.

• Helpline support via Contact aFamily’s national helpline onbullying issues for parents / carersof disabled children and those withSpecial Educational Needs.

For Sefton schools:

• Three individual training sessionsfor schools (at least 20 schools ateach session).

• An online well being questionnairewhich participating schools will beinvited to complete with pupils intheir school (year 4 and above)twice in the year.

Preparing for Adulthood

• Two training sessions for thechildren’s workforce (25-50participants at each) with unlimitedaccess to online training aboutbullying and SEN/disability,including information aboutcyberbullying to schools and thewider children’s workforce.

Dates are not yet available, howeverplease put your name down for thetraining with Sefton’s IndependentAdvice and Support Service on 0151 934 3334 or by email:seftonsendiass@sefton.gov.uk

A sub-group was set up inSefton (April 2014) to gain anaccurate picture of what‘Preparing for Adulthood’looks like for 18-25yr oldswith a special educationalneeds and / or disabilities(SEND).

Established by Tina Wilkins, Headof Service at Sefton Council’s AdultSocial Care department, thePreparing for Adulthood (PfA)group carried out a range of face-to-face meetings with keystakeholders, including youngpeople, parents, carers, Councilstaff, key providers and partnerorganisations in the voluntary, faithand private sectors to identify gapsin support and areas indevelopment, whether that beassessments, health care oreducation to name but a few.

The information gathered waspresented to the same mix ofstakeholders at a PfA workshop inOctober 2014. It was at this meetingthat a vision was developed forSefton’s PfA.

Key priorities were established andset over a five year period, with someto be achieved in year 1, some inyear 3 and the ultimate aim ofindependence for young people withSEND in year 5.

A PfA strategic plan has beencreated for 2014-19 and has beenpresented to the SEN Steering Groupby Tina Wilkins and Mike McSorley,Head of Schools and Families atSefton Council. The group will nowidentify lead officers to take forwardthe strategy’s priorities over the nextfive years.

If you want more information on PfA,contact Gill Norman by email:Gill.Norman@sefton.gov.uk

The Aiming High flameburned bright, but not toobright, for a recent shortbreak with a difference.

The Aiming High Short Breaks teamtook a group of 10-13 year olds froma youth club based at NethertonActivity Centre, to visit the ‘WhiteWatch’ team at Bootle and NethertonFire Station.

Young people enjoyed a sensoryexperience like no other, touching the

Police horses, using the fire hoseand trying on equipment. As wellas engaging with staff at the firestation, the group saw theambulance, paramedics, Policewoman and Police horses.

Ahead of their visit, members ofthe Aiming High Short Breaksteam received training, carriedout risk assessments andorganised the paperworkneeded to meet therequirements of young peopletaking part. The team was ableto do this with the continuoussupport of Steve Hickey fromSefton’s District Prevention Team.The efforts of Aiming High weremirrored by staff at the firestation, who undertook autismawareness training to help themto better understand some of theyoung people and their sensoryneeds.

Fire Service staff,including SteveHickey and the‘White Watch’team, made thegroup feel safe,secure and ableto explore thefirestation.

Aiming High isexcited to workwith MerseysideFire and RescueService in thefuture, with a visit from the fire engineplanned and more visits to the stationthat will enrich the lives of young peopletaking part in short breaks.

For more information, contact theAiming High Short Breaks Team on0151 288 6811 or by email:aiminghigh@sefton.gov.uk

08 Aiming High

There will be big adventuresfor little people in Sefton thissummer.

Families with disabled children under6 years of age have been invited toregister for this summer’s short breakrespite sessions at Thornton,Litherland and Linaker Children’sCentres. Each child will be offeredthree hour play sessions, with mostfamilies offered three sessions intotal.

Parents / carers can leave theirchildren in the care of centre staff andcrèche workers while they have abreak away from a caring role for a

Big adventures for little people atSefton Children’s Centres

short time, or spend time with siblingsor other members of their family.These sessions will take place overfour weeks of the summer holidays.

There will also be Stay and Playsessions each week of the summerholidays in all of the children’scentres across Sefton. They will besupported by staff from the centresand sensory play will be available.

On Fridays during August there is anopportunity for all the family to havesome fun as the children’s centresjoin in the Aiming High Family FunDays.

For more information contact yourlocal children’s centre, which you canfind on the Sefton Directory underYoung People and Familiesseftondirectory.co.uk

Sefton has new recruits inthe quest for Fire Safety

Giddy up horsey! This young ladyhad no problems taking the reignswith Aiming High!

The calm before the infernoas this young man gears upfor action

It's a thumps up forthe 'White Watch'