Articles (427)
What is safeguarding?
The Children Act 2004 states that safeguarding children is about: Protecting children from maltreatment, abuse and neglect Minimising risks of harm to children Preventing impairment of children’s health or development Addressing children’s needs at an early stage rather than when serious problems have developed Ensuring…Continuum of Help and Support Threshold Document
This Continuum of Help and Support Threshold Document provides a framework for professionals who are working with children, young people and families in Islington; it aims to help identify when a child may need additional support to achieve their full potential. It introduces a continuum…Supported Assessment Questionnaire
When looking at your needs the social worker will look with you at the whole range of support available, including informal networks such as friends and family and what is generally available in the local community for all children. Where an assessment indicates that there…Diagnostic Assessment
If your child’s needs are not clear a diagnostic assessment may be required. This is carried out by a group of professionals who are skilled in identifying a range of childhood disabilities. These may include learning disabilities, Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), speech and language delay/specific language…Parent Carers Assessment
Parent carers of disabled children under 18 years now have a stand alone right to assessments and services under the Children and Families Act 2014. This is called a parent carers needs assessment. This assessment can be combined with one for a disabled child and…Crisis Packages
From time to time emergency situations arise in families and usually families are able to cope from within their own or local community resources. Occasionally however emergencies are such that families cannot manage from within their existing support networks or using the current levels of…Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a tax free, social security benefit for children and young people up to 16 with an illness or disability. It is not dependent on your household income but only on your child’s needs. To get DLA, your child must need…Overnight Short Breaks
Overnight Short Breaks assist families who care for disabled children to continue to do so, or to do so more effectively, by giving them breaks from caring, They are part of the council’s Short Break offer for disabled children and their families.Family Based Short Breaks (FBSB)
Family Based Short Breaks enable parents of severely disabled children and young people to access a regular ‘Carers Break’ when their child stays in a FBSB carer’s own home on a regular basis overnight or for occasional day-time hours. We ensure that all our FBSB…Short Breaks Offer
This page outlines Islington’s Short Breaks Statement for 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. This statement explains the four levels of short breaks services in Islington and the eligibility for each. Universal Short Breaks Universal Plus Short Breaks Targeted Short Breaks Support above the Short Breaks Basic Offer The…Buying a car
The Motability Scheme allows disabled people to use the higher rate mobility component of their Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to buy a car, powered wheelchair or scooter. When you join Motability you get more than just the car, scooter or powered wheelchair of your choice, you…Travel Training
Travel training helps children and young people gain the skills that help them travel safely and independently. We have been working closely with Action for Kids who have produced a Travel Training Toolkit designed to support young people with autism or a disability to develop…Congestion Charge
If you hold a valid Blue Badge you're eligible to register for a 100% discount, even if you don't own a vehicle or drive. You can register up to two vehicles that you would normally use to travel within the charging zone. This could be…Public Transport
All children and young people who are under the age of 16 are able to get free or discounted travel at any time on public transport. Children aged over 10 require a Zip Oyster photocard to continue to get free travel. Children aged over 16…Taxi Card
If you get the higher rate of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) you can apply for a taxi card that gives you discounted trips in a licensed cab. You can apply for a Taxi Card from Contact Islington.Getting Around
Islington has excellent transport links. However, transport is one of the main barriers to social inclusion and it can still be difficult for some disabled people to get out and about. Transport providers are not yet legally required to make the 'reasonable adjustments' that would…Disagreement Resolution
Any disagreement regarding special educational needs assessment or provision should try to be resolved through disagreement resolution. This could be between parents/young people with schools, colleges or the Local Authority. The Local Authority must make disagreement resolution services available to parents and young people. Disagreement…Mediation
Mediation must be available to any parent or young person who is not happy with the final version of their Education Health and Care Plan. (Any disagreement about anything else is open to disagreement resolution, not mediation). Level 1 – Mediation Advice Access to mediation…First Tier Tribunal (SEN and Disability)
The Tribunal (part of the First-tier Tribunal [Health, Education and Social Care Chamber]) hears appeals against decisions made by Local Authorities in relation to children’s Education, Health and Care (EHC) assessments and plans. It also hears disability discrimination claims against schools.