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Daycare Trust's ‘Guide to childcare for disabled children' published
1 April 2010
Daycare Trust's ‘Guide to childcare for disabled children' published
As new DCSF funding for local authorities comes into effect today, designed to help ensure disabled children can access childcare, Daycare Trust has brought out a new publication to advise parents on the issue.
Guide to childcare for disabled children is packed full of information for parents of disabled children on choosing and paying for childcare. The comprehensive guide covers everything from the services parents can expect to be offered from birth; to the duties of local authorities; childcare options; support that should be offered by childcare providers and how to get help to pay for childcare for disabled children.
It comes as local authorities across the UK receive a cash boost of £12.5 million for the national roll out of the Disabled Children's Access to Childcare (DCATCH) Programme. The programme will help parents of disabled children benefit from expert advice and support when choosing services for their child, and follows ten successful pilots including that at Luton Borough Council which Daycare Trust has been closely involved with. As part of the Luton DCATCH pilot programme, Daycare Trust successfully worked with the Luton-based Families United Network, to devise a Disability Inclusion Awareness Training session, which assisted childcare service providers, including breakfast clubs, youth groups, after-school clubs and holiday schemes, to make their settings more inclusive and welcoming to disabled children and their parents.
Alison Garnham, Chief Executive of Daycare Trust said:
"Choosing the right childcare is a hard enough task for any parent but if you have a disabled child, the challenge of securing and paying for the right childcare can be even more difficult. Many of the parents Daycare Trust speak to frequently report lack of information, inconsistency in service provision, being charged extra for childcare for their disabled child and inaccessible and non-existent services. Our new guide will give parents the information they need to feel confident accessing the services that they are entitled to.
Daycare Trust welcomes the national roll out of the Disabled Children's Access to Childcare Programme. Local authorities have an important role to play both in enabling disabled children and their parents to access childcare, and supporting providers to deliver their services to all children, regardless of disability. We are proud to have been part of the Luton pilot project which has shown what a difference the DCATCH programme can make to disabled children and their parents."
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
Daycare Trust is the national childcare charity, campaigning for quality affordable accessible childcare for all and raising the voices of children, parents and carers. We advise parents and carers, providers, employers, trade unions and policymakers on childcare issues. We recognise that everyone is unique and we value difference in our communities. We listen to all views and are committed to act without prejudice.
Copies of the Guide to childcare for disabled children booklet can be ordered by emailing info@daycaretrust.org.uk
For further information on Daycare Trust's Disability Inclusion Awareness Training, e-mail training@daycaretrust.org.uk
Daycare Trust runs an Information Line on 0845 872 6251, open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10.00am-1.00pm and 2.00pm-5.00pm, Wed 2.00pm-5.00pm (only). Parents can also visit www.daycaretrust.org.uk and www.payingforchildcare.org.uk for information.
Daycare Trust is a member of the Campaign to End Child Poverty www.endchildpoverty.org.uk.
- For further press information, contact press office at Daycare Trust on 0207 940 7525 (out of hours 07796 886 648).
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