choices

Further information

Other useful publications

Moving Forward
Guide to transition planning. Download the text version or widgit version of this booklet. There's also a list of local contacts in Northumberland.

Choices Year 9
Provided to all young people in year 9. Find out about choosing your courses 14 to 16 yrs and planning for the future.

After 16 What’s New - Choices & Challenges for Young Disabled People This book is for young people with a wide range of disabilities and their families and carers - it looks at opportunities and services available for you when you leave school.

Taking Care
Has information on the personal experiences of families with a disabled young person and legislation, services and contacts in a resource directory. Both the above are available free from:
The Family Trust Fund
PO Box 50,
York
Y01 9ZX
Tel 011904 55005
http://www.familyfundtrust.org.uk/ E-mail acc@familyfundtrust.org.uk

A Practical Guide For Disabled People
This book looks at where to find information on services and equipment. Free from:
Department of Health Publications,
PO Box 777,
London
SE1 6XH
E-mail doh@prolog.uk.com

Choices '10
Provided to all young people in year 11 from your Personal Adviser. A full guide to options beyond year11 at schools, colleges and in employment and work based learning.

Northumberland What Now?
Is an information directory and guide for young people about to leave school. It contains information on issues such as education, work and training, money, housing, health, leisure, travel, the Law and relationships. There is also a free telephone help-line service 0800 51 11 11 and e-mail enquiry service http://www.q2a.co.uk/

Progress
Information on a range of opportunities and detailed articles on; money matters, supported housing, social activities. Available from: Care Choices Ltd. Tel 01223 207770 http://www.carechoices.co.uk/

The Disability Care Register
A comprehensive database of registered residential and supported accommodation in the UK. Offers a free service matching people to specific care homes. Tel 0800 3892077 http://www.carechoices.co.uk/

Other Useful Sources of Information and Advice

National Organisations: General

Connexions
Information on the range of services available from local Connexions Centres for young people aged 13 -19 (up to 25 for those with special educational needs). http://www.connexions.gov.uk/

Learning and Skills Council
Information on work and learning opportunities. http://www.lsc.gov.uk/

National Organisations: Disability

Equality and Human Rights CommissionInformation on the latest disability related issues. They also produce a newsletter. http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/

The Family Fund Trust
Website for this independent charity offering practical help and free information sheets on a range of issues affecting young people with disabilities and their families. http://www.familyfundtrust.org.uk/
They also have a site specifically for young people with information on the transition process and links to other organisations. http://www.after16.org.uk/

Foundation for People with Learning Difficulties
An organisation aimed at improving the quality of life for people with disabilities. The site describes current research in the field, information on provision and links to other sources of help. http://www.learningdisabilities.org.uk/

Siblings
For siblings of children with a disability. http://www.siblings.org.uk/

Skill
Unit 3, Floor 3
Radisson Court
219 Long Lane
London
SE1 4PR
Tel 020 7450 0620
http://www.skill.org.uk/ Email admin@skill.org.uk

RADAR (Royal association for Disability and Rehabilitation)
12, City Forum,
250 City Road,
London
EC1V 8AF
Tel 020 7250 3222
http://www.radar.org.uk/

Local Websites

Children and Young Persons Strategic Partnership
www.northumberland.gov.uk/CS_CYSP.asp
The Children’s and Young Persons Strategic Partnership co-ordinates the delivery of children’s services and plans in Northumberland. Also you’ll find links to sites with information on sources of funding, minutes of meetings etc

Northumberland County Council http://www.northumberland.gov.uk/

Government Office North East
http://www.go-ne.gov.uk/

Disability Organisations - addresses, telephone help lines and websites

Autism

The National Autistic Society
393 City Road
London
EC1V 1NG
Tel 020 7833 2299
http://www.nas.org.uk/

Cerebral Palsy

Scope
6 Market Road ,
London,
N7 9PW
A national disability organisation whose focus is people with cerebral palsy. It is a member led organisation providing a range of disability services.
Helpline freephone 0800 800 3333 http://www.scope.org.uk/

Communication Problems

Afasic
(Parent led organisation representing young people with communication problems).
1st Floor
20 Bowling Green Lane
London
EC1R 0BD
Helpline 0845 355 55 77
http://www.afasic.org.uk/ E-mail info@afasic.org.uk

Down’s Syndrome

Down’s Syndrome Association
Langdon Down Centre
2a Langdon Park
Teddington
TW11 9PS
Tel 0845 230 0372
http://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/

Dyspraxia

The Dyspraxia Foundation
8 West Alley,
Hitchin,
Hertfordshire,
SG5 1EG
Helpline 01462 454986
http://www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk/

Dyslexia

The Dyslexia Institute
6 lambton Road
Jesmond
NE2 4RX
Tel 0191 2818381
http://www.dyslexia-inst.org.uk/

Dyslexia Help
41 Sawpit Lane,
Brocton,
Staffs
ST17 OTE
http://www.dyslexiahelp.co.uk/

Eating Disorders

National Centre for Eating Disorders
54 New Road,
Esher
Surrey
KT10 9NU
Tel 01372 469493

Emotional Behavioural Difficulties

Association of Workers for Children with Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties (AWCEBD)
Charlton Court,
East Sutton,
Maidstone,
Kent
ME17 3DQ
Tel 01622 843104
Email awcebd@mistral.co.uk

Hearing Impaired

British Deaf Association
10th Floor, Coventry Point
Market Way
Coventry
CV1 1EA
Tel 02476 550393
www.bda.org.uk  Email info@bda.org.uk

Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID)
19-23 Featherstone Street,
London
EC1Y 8SL
Tel 020 7926 8000
http://www.rnid.org.uk/ Email helpline@rnid.org.uk

Learning Disabilities

MENCAP
Learning Disabilities Helpline 0808 808 1111.
Confidential advice and support with issues surrounding learning difficulties for young people, their families and professionals.
Tel 0808 808 1111 Minicom 0808 808 8181 Fax 020 7608 3254
http://www.mencap.org.uk/ Email help@mencap.org.uk

Mental Health Support AgenciesList of Organisations from www.bbc.co.uk/health/mental/helporgs.shtml

Rethink severe mental illness 0207 841 3188 www.rethink.org

Sane Helpline 0845 767 8000
http://www.sane.org.uk/

MIND
Young Minds Helpline 0808 802 5544 http://www.youngminds.org.uk/

Spina Bifida

Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus
Asbah House,
42 Park Road,
Peterborough
PE1 2UQ
Tel 01733 555988
http://www.asbah.org

Visual Impairment

Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB)
105 Judd Street
London
WC1H 9NE
Tel 020 7388 1266
http://www.rnib.org.uk/