Sandra
11-24-2004, 05:21 PM
The following information has been provided by Caroline Harris of the Wales Pre-school Playgroups Association.
Some children need a little extra help to enable them to settle into playgroup and achieve their fully potential in a new environment.
The Referral Scheme exists to enable children with special needs, such as physical, developmental delay, sensory and emotional impairment and also behavioural problems, to attend and receive maximum benefit from their local playgroup.
Children with Special Needs have been in playgroups for many years, but since 1985, some local authorities have provided funding for the first important opportunity for children with special needs to be helped. Subsequently, we have secured funding from BBC Children In Need and other Trusts to extend the service. All funding is reviewed annually and may vary from year to year. Parents have the right to choose provision for their child and through this scheme we endeavour to make this possible.
How does the Wales PPA Referral Scheme Work
The Referral Scheme co-ordinators may be contacted by a parent, playgroup, parent and toddler group, Health Visitor or Social Worker. The co-ordinators work with all those involved to find a suitable group for each child, making sure a "professional" is involved in each placement. the nearest suitable group will be offered because the child will benefit from playing with children with whom he/she will attend school.
What does the Referral Scheme provide
An extra helper for the group is arranged for two session per week. Playgroups will be asked to offer a suitable person for this and the co-ordinators may help with the selection. Close links are maintained between professionals and Wales PPA but information will only be exchanged with the prior consent of the parent and in the interest of the child. the co-ordinators can ask for assistance for the groups and helpers from professionals in aspects such as play, handling, behavioural problems and health problems.
The co-ordinators provide a vital link between plygroups, parents and professsionals.
There is also a Special Needs toy library which offers a support service to all groups with a referred child. Advice is available from our co-ordinator on all matters of stimulating play. Specialist toys and equipment can be laoned to the group.
Training
Cousres are regularily run on topics suggested by groups, supervisors and helpers. Wales PPA offer cousres locally dealing with "challenging behaviour" and children with special needs. the co-ordinators also have literature on specific topics availble to anyone on request.
Quote from a parent
" He loved going to playgroup and he learned a lot. He learned to play and share properly. I learned something too. I saw them treat him as a child, not as a problem".
If you would like to know more about the Referral Scheme, please contact our co-ordintor:
Mrs. Caroline Harris 01600 772879
Some children need a little extra help to enable them to settle into playgroup and achieve their fully potential in a new environment.
The Referral Scheme exists to enable children with special needs, such as physical, developmental delay, sensory and emotional impairment and also behavioural problems, to attend and receive maximum benefit from their local playgroup.
Children with Special Needs have been in playgroups for many years, but since 1985, some local authorities have provided funding for the first important opportunity for children with special needs to be helped. Subsequently, we have secured funding from BBC Children In Need and other Trusts to extend the service. All funding is reviewed annually and may vary from year to year. Parents have the right to choose provision for their child and through this scheme we endeavour to make this possible.
How does the Wales PPA Referral Scheme Work
The Referral Scheme co-ordinators may be contacted by a parent, playgroup, parent and toddler group, Health Visitor or Social Worker. The co-ordinators work with all those involved to find a suitable group for each child, making sure a "professional" is involved in each placement. the nearest suitable group will be offered because the child will benefit from playing with children with whom he/she will attend school.
What does the Referral Scheme provide
An extra helper for the group is arranged for two session per week. Playgroups will be asked to offer a suitable person for this and the co-ordinators may help with the selection. Close links are maintained between professionals and Wales PPA but information will only be exchanged with the prior consent of the parent and in the interest of the child. the co-ordinators can ask for assistance for the groups and helpers from professionals in aspects such as play, handling, behavioural problems and health problems.
The co-ordinators provide a vital link between plygroups, parents and professsionals.
There is also a Special Needs toy library which offers a support service to all groups with a referred child. Advice is available from our co-ordinator on all matters of stimulating play. Specialist toys and equipment can be laoned to the group.
Training
Cousres are regularily run on topics suggested by groups, supervisors and helpers. Wales PPA offer cousres locally dealing with "challenging behaviour" and children with special needs. the co-ordinators also have literature on specific topics availble to anyone on request.
Quote from a parent
" He loved going to playgroup and he learned a lot. He learned to play and share properly. I learned something too. I saw them treat him as a child, not as a problem".
If you would like to know more about the Referral Scheme, please contact our co-ordintor:
Mrs. Caroline Harris 01600 772879