Disability Care
29/03/2006
The 'Share the Care' campaign launched last week aims to raise awareness of the need for 'short break' support for parents with Disabled children. We are joined today by the Chief Executive of 'Shared Care Network' Candy Smith. The network oversees the nationwide scheme which needs more people to become carers and help give parents a break from the caring for their children with disability. Tory leader David Cameron is a strong supporter of the initiative and as a father of a disabled son joins us to explain the importance of the extra help that is needed in this field.
Conservative Party Leader David Cameron is lending his support to the 'Share the Care' campaign which was launched last week to raise awareness of the support needed by parents and families with disabled children. It is calling to increase the number of carers available to families who are struggling to cope. The campaign seeks to highlight the need for more carers who can alleviate the burden placed on families who support mentally and physically disabled kids and in addition 'Share the care' want to boost recruitment of these carers.
The 'Still Waiting' Report
The "Still Waiting?" report was published last week during Share the Care Week. The report was commissioned by the 'Shared Care Network' and based on a UK-wide survey of 'short break' services that are provided by local councils and charities such as Barnardos . These services link disabled children to individuals and families who give them regular short-term care on a long-term basis.
The reports major findings
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The report reveals that while over 9,000 disabled children are linked with carers, another 3,000 are still waiting for a carer to be found although this number may be higher.
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Over 90% of short break schemes reported having waiting lists - with families waiting up to a year for assistance.
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Only 14% of children with severe learning difficulties are receiving short breaks.
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Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders, challenging behaviour or ADHD, boys and teenagers are the most likely to wait longest.
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The 'Short break' schemes need to attract over 2,500 new short break carers to meet the needs of children on waiting lists alone.
David Cameron- On disability
Tory Party Leader David Cameron married his wife Samantha 1996 and they have three children. Their first child, Ivan, was born with cerebral palsy and severe epilepsy. David Cameron is quoted as saying regarding the news of his son's disabilities: "The news hits you like a freight train... You are depressed for a while because you are grieving for the difference between your hopes and the reality. But then you get over that because he's wonderful." The Cameron's also have a daughter Nancy (born 2003) and a son Arthur Elwen who was born on Valentines Day this year.
Cameron is backing the nationwide campaign ' Share the Care’ and believes more carers are needed to help families with the stress of child disability. He says, "The Still Waiting report shows that there are thousands of disabled children still waiting for the chance to take part in the ordinary activities that non-disabled children take for granted. Short break carers can reduce the social isolation of many disabled children by increasing opportunities for them to take part in leisure activities, play and meet new people. Meanwhile parents get a break from the demands of caring. It is a vital service and more carers are desperately needed."
Facts you may not have known about David Cameron
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Mrs Cameron, who works as the creative director of upmarket stationery firm Smythson's of Bond Street, which counts Stella McCartney, Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell among its clients.
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He is a keen mountain biker and his fondness for indie rock music ( the Killers, The Smiths) has seen him dubbed 'a man of the people.'
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He told the Sun newspaper he enjoys a pint of real ale, rather than champagne, and that he smokes Marlboro Lights cigarettes (a habit he has repeatedly vowed to quit).
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In his spare time, Mr Cameron plays tennis, often with former leadership rival Liam Fox, and enjoys dinner parties with his close-knit circle of friends, dubbed the Notting Hill set.
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