Changes in carers benefits rules will help more families with disabled children claim

From 12th April 2010 Carer’s Allowance, the only state benefit specifically aimed at carers, will be made available to a greater number of those who are working. Carer’s Allowance cannot be paid to a carer if they work and earn more than a set amount. The government has announced that this...   Read more...

Counting the Costs – how are your finances in 2010?

Finances can be a major concern for families with disabled children. In 2008 Contact a Family asked families about their finances and the results were shocking, with one in six families reporting that they were going without food and heating. Now, two years on, we would like to ask families...   Read more...

Make every disabled child matter in the coming election

Talk to, write to and phone your local parliamentary candidates and ask them to sign up to prioritise disabled children and their families if they're elected. Contact a Family is a founder member of the Every Disabled Child Matters (EDCM) campaign. We're urging all election candidates to sign...   Read more...

Families with disabled children lack mental health support

The results of a survey by youth mental-health charity YoungMinds show that a third of parents with disabled children aren’t receiving the support they need for their children’s emotional or mental health problems. 87% of parents found barriers to getting help, including lack of available...   Read more...

Help us get better support for carers

As the general election approaches Carers UK will be campaigning to make sure that whoever forms the next government is left in no doubt that carers need to be a priority. Back their campaign and send a message to the next Prime Minister. Things you can do to help: * [Sign the letter and...   Read more...

Have your say on charges for NHS car parks

Parents visiting children in hospital will know the high cost of hospital parking, the lack of parking space close to hospital wards for families and the great difficulties families face when trying to claim reimbursement for these charges. A consultation on Improving Access for Patients...   Read more...

Local Parent Groups

Many parents find attending local support groups invaluable. Don't take our word for it, listen to some parents talking about what it means to them.  [Listen to this podcast] [1] ...   Read more...

Welsh local group podcast

Mae llawer o rieni yn gwerthfawrogi mynychu grwpiau cefnogi rhieni, allen nhw fod yn grwp lleol i bob un mynychu neu, grwp cenedlaethol sy'n cefnogi cyflwr penodol. Cliciwch yma i wrando ar brofiad rhiant o mynychu grwp cefnogi lleol. Mae'r recordiad yma yn Gymraeg. Many parents find it...   Read more...

Free Caring with Confidence courses in England

Caring with Confidence is a free knowledge and skills based programme on offer from the National Extension College. The course aims to help carers make a positive difference to their lives and the lives of the people they care for. The programme is available to carers in three formats: *...   Read more...

Don’t miss out on the Family Fund

If you are living on a low income, the Family Fund can help you and your family with grants relating to the additional needs of severely disabled children and young people up to the age of eighteen. Whilst you can apply for grants for things such as washing machines and hospital visiting...   Read more...

Best practice in childcare for disabled children

Ofsted has published ‘Children in Need in Childcare’, reporting on the experiences of 25 childcare settings which have all been judged as good or outstanding. The report aims to provide useful advice to childcare providers on improving the way they support children with special needs. ...   Read more...

Parent Participation Works! Find out How

Together for Disabled Children (TDC), a partnership between Serco and Contact a Family, have just published the *Parent Participation How to Guide*. The purpose of parent participation is to enable parents to get involved in service planning and decision making so that services meet the needs of...   Read more...

Has your child been denied their human rights?

Contact a Family needs parents, carers and family members to tell us about situations where they believe their child was denied their Human Rights. These include: * The right to life * The right to a family life * The right to play * The right to an effective education * The right to...   Read more...

Does your family fit the shape of a standard family ticket?

What’s the shape of your family? Mum plus four kids. Dad plus only child. Grandparents and their grandchildren, for whom they care. Mum, Dad, Auntie and her daughter. What’s the shape of a typical family ticket to a museum or gallery? Two plus two. Kids in Museums has launched the...   Read more...