DCSF announces extra £12.5 million for disabled childrens childcare
"30 December 2009
Parents with disabled children will now get better support to help with childcare following a £12.5 million cash boost from the Government, Ed Balls and Children’s Minister Dawn Primarolo announced today as they also called on local authorities to do more to help disabled children access childcare.
The cash injection will fund the national roll out of the Disabled Children’s Access to Childcare Programme, following ten successful pilots across the country. The programme will help parents of disabled children, who are understandably cautious about using childcare, benefit from expert advice and support when choosing services for their child.
As part of the programme, ‘Parent Champions’, who are parents in the local area who have experience of using childcare for their own disabled children, could help other parents understand the services and support available to them. The champions would be recruited by local authorities across the country to promote the new services to other parents. They will give parents greater confidence in making the most of the services available, and ensure they have someone to turn to discuss any concerns they may have.
The £12.5 million fund is being allocated across the country, with the remaining 142 local authorities who were not part of the pilot each receiving at least £59,000.
Local authorities will have flexibility to use the funds to meet local needs, choosing from a range of options developed by the ten pathfinders. These include creating the ‘Parent Champions’ as well as providing specialist training for childminders and staff so that they have the skills they need to work with disabled children. It could also be used to produce better information for parents of disabled children so they are more aware of the options available to them."
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