Do you care for a family member with a learning disability?
Carers in Hertfordshire is a registered charity which was set up by carers in 1995. The aims of the organisation are:
- To enable carers to participate in service planning and decision making
- To be a platform for the voice of carers
To support the delivery of these aims, the County Council and the local NHS funds Carers in Hertfordshire to reach family carers and support them to have a voice in the planning and performance review of health and social care services for:
- Carers themselves
- Children and Young People using Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
- Adults with Mental Health issues
- Adults with Dementia
- Adults with Learning Disabilities
- Adults with Autistic Spectrum Conditions
- Adults who misuse Drug and/or Alcohol
If you would like to be a part of this, you can join the Learning Disability Carers Forum meetings, which provide carers with an opportunity to network with other carers, ask questions and gain information from service providers. The meetings also provide an important opportunity for service users to help shape the services they use. Currently meetings are held in Hatfield, but they are happy to hold meetings in other areas of the county and at different times, where there is interest.
You can download this flyer for more information or if you’d like printed copies of the flyer, please contact karen.malone@carersinherts.org.uk
Coming soon – Annual Health Checks Questionnaire!
Healthwatch Hertfordshire is working with Hertfordshire County Council to help them understand how they can better support people with learning disabilities and improve their health outcomes.
Healthwatch Hertfordshire worked with its Learning Disability Service Watch Group to co-produce a questionnaire about annual health checks. We want people with learning disabilities to complete the questionnaire so we can find out what they think about annual health checks, and the barriers they might face in accessing annual health checks.
If you have a learning disability, or are a parent or carer of someone with a learning disability, please look out for our questionnaire launching next month on Monday 4th November 2019.
Alternatively, please email info@healthhertfordshire.co.uk or call 01707 275978 and we will send you a reminder about our questionnaire nearer the time.
Supporting sensory needs in Hertfordshire
Are you looking for support for a child or young person with sensory needs?
Finding out that your child/young person has sensory needs can bring about a whole array of emotions. We know that regardless of the type of disability, health condition or additional need a child/young person has, parents or carers want information, support and advice they can trust. Whatever stage you are at with your child, there is information and support available in this comprehensive step by step guide - the Sensory Pathway.
This support pathway shows the journey a child or young person with sensory needs can expect and aims to help families and professionals make sense of a complex world. You can follow the steps outlined in each section, or jump to the chapter of interest at the click of a button.
There is also a helpful 'Glossary of Terms' at the back of the document to help you understand those many words or acronyms the various services use.
Find the guide on the SEND Local Offer website here
Universal Infants Free School Meals (UIFSM)
Did you know that all children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 could get a free school lunch? Have you registered your child?
Registering is quick and easy; simply visit www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals and select the relevant tab. (You will need your National Insurance Number or Home Office number to hand).
Did you know if your child is eligible for free school meals, they’ll remain eligible until March 2023, or until they finish their current phase of schooling (primary or secondary), if that's after March 2023.
By registering, your school could get additional funding called Pupil Premium, which could help towards extra computers, books, trips out and staff etc.