Home / HPCI parent network update 16th Feb
Welcome to this week’s HPCI update for our parent network which includes:
Vaccinations for people aged 16 and above with a learning disability
The COVID-19 vaccination programme in Hertfordshire is moving at a pace and some people with learning disabilities have already been asked to come for their first jab this coming week. Others will be invited to come for their vaccination over the next month or so. This will include younger adults who are 16 – 18 years old.
It is also likely that where your relative lives at home and is accompanied to the vaccination centre by a family carer, the carer will also be able to receive their jab.
Invitations will be sent out to people who are on their GPs’ Learning Disability Register. There is no need to phone the surgery, they will be coming.
Hertfordshire County Council will be setting up an information hub in partnership with the Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) where you will be able to direct any questions you have or get support and advice. You can contact the hub via email ACS.Covid@hertfordshire.gov.uk. The hub will be available to offer support Monday 15th February.
Keepsafe UK have created some fantastic resources made by Photosymbols explaining COVID-19 information for people with learning disabilities, in an easy-to-understand format with an audio description. The subjects covered include:
There are also easy read posters that are free to download, print and share.
National Charity Contact – Guide for families
Our all-in-one book has all the information and help you need to enjoy family life. Get your free copy of our Helpful guide for families with disabled children straight to your letterbox.Contact Free benefits check and grants search
National Charity Contact have a benefits calculator tool on their website which can help you to find out what financial support you might be entitled to. They also have a grants search tool, which you can use to see what grants might be available to your family. Both tools are provided by another national charity Turn2us, that helps people in financial hardship to gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and support services.
MPs investigate child poverty – send your views
A new inquiry on child poverty has been set up by a group of cross-party MPs that make up the Work and Pensions Select Committee. Research by Contact of census data shows that when compared to non-disabled children, disabled children are more likely to live in a household without a car, in a home without central heating and in overcrowded accommodation. You can send your views on this topic to the Committee.
Identifying early signs of worsening health in a person with a learning disability – specific training for family carers
The NHS England and NHS Improvement Learning Disability and Autism Programme is inviting family carers to take part in a workshop. Attending the workshop will help you to be able to identify when the person you care for is becoming more unwell (deteriorating health) and how to tell a health professional about that. The workshop is free and only for parents with children over the age of 16.
RESTORE2™ mini is an award winning tool specifically designed for carers to help you to identify soft signs that someone you care for may be unwell and what you should do next. This version of Restore2min™ has been specially adapted for people caring for those with a learning disability.
We are inviting family carers to take part in this important one off 90 minute training session which will help you to identify soft signs of deterioration and then seek the right help at the right time.
What you’ll learn
How long is the training? The training takes about 90 minutes
When is the training?
We are offering the training every working day from Tuesday 23rd February to Friday 31st March 2021 at different times in the day. There are over 30 sessions for you to choose from. The link below will direct you to the NHS England and NHS Improvement events page where you will be able to select your preferred day and time. There are limited places for each training slot, so please register early to make sure you get the date and time you want.
Please click this link to register your place on the training.
Cerebral Palsy parents wanted for research by Newcastle University
Complex Health Needs research DeMontfort University
