Every day families with disabled children and disabled adults face a range of difficulties that most other families don’t need to think about. As well as the practical challenges of managing a physical or mental disability, these families regularly support their children to overcome the emotional distress caused by bullying and discrimination. Whilst society has made significant strides in recent
years, discrimination, racism and bullying still occurs all too frequently, both across our education system and at a community level. For disabled children and adults and their families. This can cause as much distress as the impact of the disability itself. We want families with disabled children and disabled adults to have a voice, and to be part of a wider solution that supports disability at every level of society. We are at the forefront of creativity and innovation in services to help raise awareness about the issues affecting children and adults with disabilities, their families and carers. Kidz Aware was founded in 2006 and we have developed a range of solutions since we first started our work. Based in Wakefield, we now work across other Yorkshire Local Authorities areas with a mission “to ensure that all children and adults with a disability, and their carers have the opportunities to achieve their aspirations in life.”
Our work is delivered fewer than three strands:
We deliver direct support for parents and carers, and targeted interventions with key partners. We provide educational programmes addressing Bullying Racism and Discrimination in young people’s settings . We provide practical support and guidance to disabled children and disabled adults and carers, whilst supporting the organisations that support the individual’s development
A significant proportion of our work is targeted at working with schools and partner organisations to raise awareness of bullying racism and disability. We deliver practical support that helps organisations provide a safe and supportive environment for children and adults with disabilities. We routinely support primary and secondary schools to implement practical steps that address peer to peer bullying? For Kidz Aware, education is the key to addressing the challenges that disabled young people and their families face. We run a number of programmes for schools that allow children and young people to explore the realities of disability, bullying and racism. Our programmes are founded on the Award Winning Pacer Centre in Minnesota, America. They support schools to meet statutory legislation requirements, demonstrating the school’s commitment to delivering an outstanding approach to the behaviour and safety of pupils at the school, as set out in Ofsted’s School Inspection Handbook. The “Count Me In” programme is aimed at educating children from the age of 2-18 about issues affecting children with disabilities. Delivered differently to Key Stage 1-4, this overarching programme helps schools and pupils ensure that disabled children are not excluded from life experiences. Count Me In helps pupils of all ages explore our human nature responses to disability, including discomfort, embarrassment and lack of understanding about disabilities and health conditions. Our “Lets Prevent Bullying” puppet programme is aimed at educating primary children about the issues affecting children with or without disabilities. Delivered in a large scale puppet medium, this workshop programme is tailored to younger children at Key Stage 1 and/or Key Stage 2. Our “Accepting Difference” Programme is targeted at educating older children aged 10-18 and provides the opportunity for young people to explore a more complex range of issues related to disability, discrimination and racism. Our Values
All people are different, and we recognise the powerful potential that differing views, thoughts and ideas can have in helping us achieve our goals. We will be EMBRACING of all people and communities who share a common desire to support improvements in services and opportunities for people with disabilities and their carers. EQUALITY is for all people to see people rather than their disability, recognising that people with disabilities aspire to achieve the same things in life as everyone else. We will always work with all people – as service users, partners, suppliers and staff – in a way that recognises their right to equal treatment. We aim to be an INSPIRING organisation, encouraging people to engage in our services, becoming new partners and working with us to bring out about change. Every day we are inspired by disabled people and their families. Their determination and spirit encourages us to continue with our work, striving to deliver an outstanding quality of service. The Facts
It is estimated that 1% of the child population in the UK has a very marked physical or learning disability and about 15% of the child population will have, at any time, a long-term medical condition. In Wakefield alone, where we are based, there is the highest rate of disabled children in the country.
1 in 10 children and young people aged 5 –
16 suffer from a diagnosable mental health disorder - that is around three children in every class. Between 1 in every 12 and 1 in 15 children and young people deliberately self-harm
There has been a big increase in the number of young people being admitted to hospital because of self harm. Over the last ten years this figure has increased by 68%
More than half of all adults with mental health problems were diagnosed in childhood. Less than half were treated appropriately at the time. Nearly 80,000 children and young people suffer from severe depression. Over 8,000 children aged under 10 years old suffer from severe depression
72% of children in care have behavioral or emotional problems - these are some of the most vulnerable people in our society 5% of imprisoned young offenders have a mental health disorder. Many of them are struggling with more than one disorder). Nevertheless, there is a lot of good news and there are numerous government agencies, charities and key partners who consistently strive to support disabled children, adults and their families. Successive governments continue to demonstrate their commitment to developing an inclusive society, developing new legislation, policies and programmes. The Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit’s report entitled ‘Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People” states:
“Disabled young people hope for the same things as other young people: to travel, get a job, start a family and live independently. They want a voice, a leisure and social life and to be involved as active, valued citizens.”
We are committed to achieving this aim. There is a significant amount of work to do on a local basis and Kidz Aware is seeking to bring new, creative and innovative ways of breaking down barriers for children with disabilities, carers thus ensuring that they can truly live a fulfilling life. We know that this is a massive challenge but we know that we’re not alone in trying to create opportunities for children with disabilities, carers. Families, schools, local authorities, government, charitable organisations and most importantly – the children themselves – are all trying to play their part too. OUR SERVICES
Our services are the core of what we do. We routinely provide the following services to disabled individuals, parents and carers, schools and service professionals:
For disabled people and their families
• Disability, Equality, Racism and Bullying awareness programmes in all educational settings
• Parties and community activities that foster a sense of community and belonging for local families. Christmas parties, summer fetes and activity days are all examples of events we have organised.
• Disabled young people forum
• Debt Advice
• Benefits advice form filling
• Attendance to appeals
• Information, Advice and Guidance across a range of disability related areas
• Advocacy services for parents and carers of a disabled child. Our Advocacy Service ensures parents and carers can address issues and concerns they may have, meeting the requirements of the childrens and families ac and other legislation :
• Support parents and carers in accessing services for the disabled person they care for and, importantly, themselves
• Support in addressing mental health issues . For volunteers, schools, teachers and service professionals
• Our award winning “Count Me In”, “Let’s Prevent Bullying” Disabilty awareness and “Accepting Difference” programmes.
• Operating across West Yorkshire with centres in Wakefield and Kirklees, these interactive sessions are available across a range of flexible delivery solutions including small groups, classes or large groups up to a max of 60 children. Key Stage 3 and 4 programmes operate at a maximum of 30 young people can be delivered in classrooms.
• Training for carers, volunteers, disabled persons and service provider professionals to develop skills and knowledge on the barriers faced by carers and the disabled
• Awareness sessions within our communities including Fun Days, Galas and Children’s Parties Whilst offering extensive support and lots of fun, these community events raise important issues at a community level about disability, bullying and racism
Our Future
At Kidz Aware, we have set ourselves some key objectives that we will strive to achieve in the next 3 years. These objectives will support us in widening our offer and supporting more individuals, carers, teachers and service professionals. They include:
• Developing information manuals, empowering children to take ownership of their disability, and using the passport to help others understand their needs.
