Aiming High Funding

[vjg13]

Has anyone had any money or childcare from this? We get direct payments but have not heard anything from the SW. Do you have to apply?

TIA

Hi, the way I pick up the aiming high funding is for services such as social work to put extra short breaks etc in place. It will then be up to them who needs etc. Just wondering how you heard about this and are you a member of a steering group that has been put together to help shape services for our children???

Thanks for your reply. We had a consultation questionnaire ages ago and then heard nothing. I think local councils have to get the money spent in the next year because it's only a short term project.

I haven't been on any of the committees because I felt they were doing it as a box ticking exercise.

vjg...I totally agree it was a government ticky box, however changes have been made and the steering groups have been allocated money from TDC to engage parents in there local areas. Because of that we have to fill in their guidlines and forms to say if the lA are listening or meeting the parents criteria. Our steering group has been going just over 2 year and I think it's well worth getting involved, interesting as well as getting your voice heard.

Our Aiming High has a page on the Council's website and has published one newsletter. Look up AH on your LA's site to see if they give some idea what they've spent the cash on. Ours has put AH money into all sorts of things from very useful holiday playschemes to a hoist at the local council pool (into freezing cold water - useless).

If they have spent some of it on extending short breaks, they sure as hell won't come looking for you to encourage you to apply. You will still need to ask your social worker, or - preferably - an independent organisation in the know, whether you can benefit from any improved services. The money is running out soon, so get in there quick.

I am one of the parent carers involved in this on a voluntary basis for Lancashire county council. A lot of the money is being spent on "short breaks" - which translates as holiday and weekend activities which the child or young person can participate in, with support, thus allowing the parents / carers a short break.

My DS (8) has ASD. He has been attending a Saturday scheme once a month where he's been trying canoeing, climbing, archery and other outdoor activities. His confidence has been improved, and so has his self esteem. He's also been able to access a play scheme run by Barnardos.

Try looking on your County Council website for local information.

If anyone is in Lancashire, let me know if you'd like any more info.

Hi tipsycat we are trying to set up a group on facebook for members up and down the country ofthe voluntary parent steering groups. As yet I don't know how we will utilise this but it seems like a good idea.
www.facebook.com/groups.php?ref=sb#/group.php?gid=310804050067
Donkeyderby if you are also a member of a steering group you should have a look also and maybe join.

Hi devient, I am a member of the parent carer council and have just joined the steering group. Is this what you mean? I believe it has AH funding. I am not on the AH panel which decides where the funding goes.

I would be very interested in the FB group if I can join

Just looked at it and realise it's Aiming High Steering groups. Anyone know if there's a PaCC national group on FB or anywhere else?

Hi DD, can I ask what a PaCC national group is??? Or am I thick and it's parent carer council?? I am just wondering of you are doing the same job as our parent carer steering group. Sitting voluntarily alongside the heads of services such as education, social etc to help shape future services with money from Aiming High.

Yes, it's the Parent Carer Council - I just wondered if there was some sort of national umbrella group linking them up as I know there are quite a few around the country.

I believe our Parent Carer Council has got AH funding and we do indeed sit on committees to help shape services. Our PaCC has negotiated payment for parents to attend which is good, though I'm not sure how this is monitored in terms of getting value for money from parents. I am new to it all, so not sure how it works yet.

There is another committee to decide where the Aiming High money goes I think