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News

Better Services For Disabled Children

Disabled children and their families in Poole, Bournemouth and Dorset are set to benefit from short breaks over the next three years.

The three local authorities, in partnership with Dorset Primary Care Trust and Bournemouth and Poole Teaching Primary Care Trust , have been awarded 'pathfinder' status following an announcement by Education and Care Ministers Andrew Adonis and Ivan Lewis.

Borough of Poole, Bournemouth Borough Council and Dorset County Council will receive additional funding of £802,900 in 2008/9, rising to £2,358,900 in 2009/10 to provide better short break services for disabled children.

Short break services support disabled children to enjoy activities away from their family giving their parents or carers a break from caring. This can be anything from overnight stays with another family or in a children's home through to holidays, after school activities and clubs.

This new money will mean that more short term breaks can be provided to local families.

The successful bid for funding was based on listening to the views of local families who have a disabled child and the good record of close working between Dorset County Council, Borough of Poole, Bournemouth Borough Council, Bournemouth and Poole Primary Care Trust and Dorset Primary Care Trust in the development of services for disabled children.

John Nash, Strategic Director for Children's Services, Borough of Poole, said: "Parents have told us they would like more opportunities to take short breaks so their children can enjoy activities away from the family, while giving them a valuable break from caring. We have listened to parents and this funding award will help us and our partners in Bournemouth and Dorset to improve the support we can offer to families."

Poole, Bournemouth and Dorset are three of 21 pathfinder authorities chosen to be part of the Government's National Short Breaks Transformation Programme and provide support to other authorities in developing their services for disabled children.

Ian Turner, Media Relations Officer
Tel: 01202 633295