Darlington Families Information Team including IASS for SEND

13/05/2024

26/01/2024

Darlington SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities - Information Advice and Support Service)

As the new year has started please remember that independent, impartial advice on all matters SEND is freely available to children, young people and their parents and carers from SENDIASS and also from the Darlington Parent Carer Forum. The staff in these organisations have had relevant training regarding the SEND Code of Practice, SEND Law and the Equalities Act, as well as appropriate personal checks carried out on their suitability to carry out their roles. Both organisations comply with data protection legislation to keep you and your information safe and secure and both are covered by public liability insurance should you suffer from losses arising from receiving inaccurate advice. When seeking advice and support on SEND matters please ensure you are doing so safely – the easiest way to do this is through the appropriate and recognised channels.

The Information, Advice and Support Service is a service which supports parentscarers of children who have or may have special educational needs.

14/12/2023

Do you have thoughts or experiences on early mental health support for children and young people in the Tees Valley?

We'd like to hear your views – visit our website to find out more👉 https://northeastnorthcumbria.nhs.uk/get-involved/our-work-with-people-and-communities/current-engagement/

07/12/2023

Expansion of the Early Years Entitlements from April 2024.

Darlington Council would very much like to gather feedback from parents/carers who have a child with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and who is 2 years old or under. The survey takes around 10 minutes to complete and closes on 22 December 2023.

18/09/2023

CHANGES TO NURSERY AND PRE-SCHOOL CHILDCARE

In March 2023 the government announced it is extending funded childcare to support more parents to return to work or increase their working hours, after their parental leave ends.

By September 2025, working parents of all children over the age of 9 months will be entitled to 30 hours of funded childcare. To enable childcare providers to prepare to deliver such a major expansion, it will be rolled out in phases:
• from April 2024, working parents of 2 year olds will be able to access 15 hours funded childcare
• from September 2024, 15 hours funded childcare will be extended to all children from the age of 9 months
• from September 2025, working parents of children from the age of 9 months to 4 years old will be entitled to 30 hours funded childcare per week

Information is available from the Families’ Information Team who can be contacted on 01325 406222 or email [email protected].

Visit the GOV.UK website for further information on funded childcare.

The financial support that is available to parents to help with the cost of childcare is increasing. These include major changes to make it easier for parents with childcare responsibilities to move into or take on more paid work. Starting from April 2024, existing childcare support will be expanded...

29/06/2023

Our Early Years team are at the Jobs Fair at the Dolphin Centre today. Why not pop in and have a chat with them!

02/02/2023

Is your child displaying traits associated with autism, sensory processing, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or Foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)? Would you like to discuss this with professionals or seek support from other parents and carers who have had similar experiences?

We are receiving fantastic feedback on our friendly and welcoming Family Support Service drop-in sessions, available at multiple locations across Tees Valley.

Find a session near you by visiting https://www.daisychainproject.co.uk/family-support-drop-in-sessions/

06/10/2022

Joan and Nicola from the Council's Early Years Team are at the Jobs Fair at the Dolphin Centre today, providing information about childcare jobs.