Children with Disabilities
Social Services provide a range of services to help meet the needs of children and their families. We believe that working together with parents/carers and their children is the best way to ensure that the individual needs of each child are met.
Social Services has a duty to help children in need within Torfaen. This includes children who have a physical or learning disability; children with behaviour problems; children at risk of abuse or neglect; or those who need support or help for a number of other reasons. If you would like to discuss what help Social Services could offer you, please contact Customer Services on 01495 762200.
The following services may be offered, subject to eligibility:
Short Break Scheme
This service can provide short breaks and may include overnight stays by linking a child with a disability to another family.
Family Support Workers
This service provides direct support for families and the child with disabilities. This can take the form of helping with attending medical appointments, helping the child access community facilities, parenting skills and many other areas based on need.
Home Care
This service provides help within the child’s home to offer practical support to include services such as personal care.
Requests for services should be made to Social Services Customer Services on 01495 762200.
Direct payments
A direct payment is a payment that can be made to people who are eligible to a service as identified in their child's assessment, and would prefer to arrange their own services.
Direct payment allows people more choice and control over the services they receive. This means that if you employ a personal assistant you will be classed as their employer.
Saturday day club
Saturday day club can be offered for children with complex health needs ( 8 to 18 yrs of age) or young people in transition who require support to develop independence.
Multi agency family support
A Multi agency family support service is available for disabled children 0 - 18 who have an assessed need (or waiting for an assessment) with a physical, sensory or learning disability. This includes play and development sessions for children aged 0 to 5 with preparation for school for the older age group.
Support is provided for children to attend their local playscheme wherever possible and there is a specialist play scheme for children with complex health needs who may require additional support.
Key worker Scheme
A key worker scheme was set up to improve services for disabled children with complex needs and their families by supporting them at the time of diagnosis and providing ongoing advice. The scheme focuses on improving inter-agency working and communication between families and professionals resulting in better coordinated services for the disabled child.
Carers Support Group
Support and advice is available for carers and there is a dedicated support worker for carers at Torfaen Carers Centre, tel 01495 753537 for further information. All carers are entitled to a carers assessment to establish their needs.