Register
Register for Children and Young People with Disabilities/Special Needs
The Children Act 1989 requires councils to keep a register of all children and young people with disabilities in the area. In Kingston the council has joined with NHS Kingston (formally known as Kingston Primary Care Trust) and Kingston Hospital NHS Trust to operate one register for all children/young people with disabilities living in the borough.
The register ensures that appropriate services know about children and young people with disabilities and their carers who may need additional help and support now or in the future.
What are the advantages of registering your child?
There is no legal requirement to register but if most children are registered the agencies get a more accurate picture of what services are needed. The information from the register will be used to plan services and ensure that resources are used effectively.
As a parent/carer you will have the opportunity to be involved through consulation in the development of these services.
Through the register you will be kept informed about the services which are designed to help and support you and your child at different stages of their life. You will receive information about new services, entitlements and benefits.
When registered you will be entitled to receive an "I-Count Card" and the Connections Newsletter.
The “I-Count Card” identifies a child with a disability thereby reducing the embarrassment when requesting extra help such as “fast tracking” when there are queues or trying to obtain discounts.
A list of participating organisations that have agreed to acknowledge and support the card can be found at www.icount.org (see link below). They include major national leisure facilities, local shopping and cinemas etc.
The Kingston Connections Newsletter is produced three times a year a week before each half term holiday.
The newsletter provides a round up of news and events from around the borough and information on activities and services that are available both locally and nationally.
To receive a leaflet about the register or to find out more about registering your child please contact:
Caroline Baxter: Disabled Children's Information and Advice Service Manager
Tel: 020 8934 6378
Email: caroline.baxter@enhanceable.org