Aiming High for Disabled Children programme

The National Aiming High for Disabled Children (AHDC) Programme was introduced in 2008 to transform services for disabled children, young people and their families. It supports and delivers the aims of Every Child Matters and the Children's National Service Framework.

It is an ongoing initiative with one vision; that disabled children and young people have the best start in life and the ongoing support that they and their families need to fulfil their potential.

Newham's Vision for Aiming High

For disabled young children and their families to be supported to lead ordinary lives through access to services and support as need is identified.

Services and short breaks are available to;

(1) Children and young people (0-18yrs) with complex health needs including:

• those with disability and life limiting conditions and/or
• those who require palliative care and/or
• those with associated impairments such as cognitive or sensory impairments and/or
• have moving / handling needs and/or
• require special equipment / adaptations.

(2) Children and young people (0-18yrs) with Autistic Spectrum Disorders including:

• those who have severe learning disabilities or behaviour which is challenging or
• those children and young people whose challenging behaviour is associated with other impairments such as severe learning disabilities.
  

The Newham Aiming High programme was built on the aims and the priorities in our Children and Young People's plan "to ensure there are inclusive opportunities for children and young people with disabilities and learning difficulties". Parents and carers and children and young people have worked with us to identify the range of activities needed in Newham and worked with us at every stage of commissioning provision, including developing our requirements, assessing providers and assessing the quality of short breaks to help us develop our provision in the future.

As a result, increased access to short breaks has helped avoid the need for statutory intervention and contributed to the reduction of disabled children who are Looked After. 400 plus Aiming High breaks were delivered in 2010/11 through Individual Budgets (IBs); group based short breaks, short break family activities and innovation projects. The Aiming High IB pilot helped to pave the way for children's personalisation and received national recognition. Our Aiming High Capital Programme invested in accessible play equipment in local parks as well as an independent life skills resource in a local school.

Through our Programme, we developed strong engagement forums for parents and carers and for children and young people. Our co-production group, Parents in Partnership with Newham (PipN) is a joint planning group, co-chaired by parents and officers. The group oversees and feeds into our ongoing Aiming High programme and service planning. The programme is ongoing and we have updated our short breaks offer for 2012-13.

For more detailed information about the Aiming High Programme, take a look at the http://www.education.gov.uk website

Contact Us

If you would like to get in touch with any questions about the Aiming High programme, contact us by email: jason.eustice@newham.gov.uk.