Introduction
On this page (A-Z)
Foreword
Purpose of the manual
How to use the manual
Supporting material
The purpose and objectives of the Bristol City Council, Social Services and Health Department
Disabled children are a significant proportion of children in need in Bristol. Their well-being is important to us and good communication and understanding is key to good services and effective performance. Therefore, we're pleased to present the new disabled children procedure manual to you. I'm sure you'll find it useful.
Preparation of the manual has been an important exercise in communication, bringing together the complex array of services to disabled children provided by education, health, Connexions, voluntary organisations, as well as social services. We believe that the new manual is a good basis for quality performance with a clear statement to hand on boundaries and expectations.
The manual has innovative companion material which should assist you with the interpretation and implementation of its many and complex procedures. Please do not hesitate to send in your comments about the manual and its effectiveness in practice.
The Disabled Children Procedure Manual covers service and eligibility criteria and brings together the information practitioners and managers need to make decisions about provision for disabled children and their families.
The Manual is based on the Department of Health (2000) integrated assessment framework and is written as a companion document to the local assessment procedures covered in the Bristol Area Child Protection Committee's Procedures for Working with Children in Need. You need access to a copy of the Manual and Bristol City Council's Integrated Equalities Policy to put this manual in context. Both are available the Bristol City Council Website.
The Manual is organised in five parts.
Part One covers the legislative and policy background to provision for disabled children.
Part Two covers the procedures followed by the Social Services and Health Department that control access to provision and, where relevant, joint procedures with the NHS in Bristol and the Bristol Local Education Authority.
Part Three covers specific services with a summary of provision and access to each.
Part Four contains appendices to the other parts, with specific detail that may be time-limited.
Index There is an alphabetical index at the end to assist a specific search.
There are companion materials to support the Manual.
The Handy Guide for Practitioners' and Managers
This small leaflet is designed to introduce the Manual and provide an overview to its structure.
Quiz. A quiz is available to assist practitioners start off in the field or to brush up their understanding of the procedures in relation to disabled children. The quiz is recommended to team managers as part of induction for new practitioners. See Appendix 1-1. The solution is available:
Pathways to Services. A chart (SSL 34) is available to assist with understanding the 'landscape' of the services available to disabled children. The chart is intended for use by a practitioner in an initial interview with a young person and their parents. However, it is written to stand alone and should act as a signpost to services.
Feedback. Feedback on the Disabled Children Procedure Manual material is welcome. A form is available on-line or you can write - see contact details below.
Contact details
Please send your comments to:
Partnership Co-ordinator, Social Services and Health Department, PO Box 30, Amelia Court, Pipe Lane, Bristol BS99 7NB.
E-mail: socialservices@bristol-city.gov.uk.
The purpose and objectives of the Bristol City Council, Social Services and Health Department
Manual approved November 2003.