Who are we?

The Disabled Children Team is a specialist team based at Salt Way Centre.

We work with children and families of children aged 0-18 years of age, who have a chronic illness or profound physical and/or learning disabilities.

We work alongside professionals from Health, Education and Housing, and voluntary agencies.

Our team comprises Occupational Therapists, an Occupational Therapy Assistant, Social Workers and administrative staff, a Team Manager, Carers Project co-ordinator and Out and About co-ordinator of activities for disabled children.

Geographically we cover the area within the Borough of Swindon boundary.

What we do

Team Manager and Assistant Team Managers

We are responsible for the work coming into the team, and the day-to-day management of the team's workload. We are responsible for the staff, and the ongoing planning of the service. We have regular contact with team members, health colleagues and other related professionals.

Social Workers

We offer advice, counselling and practical support to families with children who have special needs arising from illness or disability. We are aware that some children are subject to abuse and we may be involved in the investigation or with the family following it.

Occupational Therapists

We offer a service to children who, due to physical or learning disability, have difficulties with activities of daily living in the home or community environment.

This may include the provision of adaptive equipment to enable independence (e.g: bathing, toileting equipment), advice on housing adaptations (e.g: ramps, door widening or larger modifications to the home which may be funded through a Disabled Facilities Grant), independence training, and advice to carers on how to handle their child - especially in relating to their disability.

Members of the Disabled Children Team seek to work in partnership with families and other agencies, with the aim of providing the most appropriate resources for the child and the family.

How to contact us

Disabled Children Team

Children Services
Salt Way Centre
Pearl Road
Swindon
SN5 5TD

Tel: 01793 464240
Fax: 01793 873490

Emergency Duty Service

Tel: 01793 436699

Other useful contacts

Swindon Borough Council Housing Benefits Office

Tel: 01793 463000

See also: Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit

Citizens Advice Bureau

Faringdon House
1 Faringdon Road
Swindon
SN1 5AR

Tel: 01793 528303

Benefits Advice

There are a number of small neighbourhood-based advice points, including:

• Millen Advice Point (Asian languages spoken): Tel: 01793 611800
• Benefits Enquiry Line for People with Disabilities (a free service): Tel: 0800 882200

If you would like further information please telephone 01793 486926.

Your views

We would welcome your comments. If you would like to give us your thoughts and ideas about this information or other Social Services publication please contact:

Customer Liaison Officer
Tel: 01793 463496
E-mail: yourcommentscount@swindon.gov.uk

Disabled Children Team

Further information

For further help on services available to you, please also see our section on Support/Services for Disabled Children.