Children in Northern Ireland (CiNI) has launched new training programmes to increase childcare capacity for children with disabilities.
The courses are open to childminders, day care and after schools staff, parents and family members, including grandparents.
Pauline Leeson, Chief Executive of CiNI – the regional umbrella body for the children’s sector in Northern Ireland said: “There are increasing numbers of children with complex health needs.
“Often these young people tend to fall between disability services and children’s services and therefore their unique and specific circumstances and needs as children with disabilities are often overlooked.
“Children with disabilities, and their families, can become invisible when key decisions are made about establishing the need for planning and delivering services, including public services.
“These children are also more likely to experience exclusion from mainstream support services due to the perceived risks and lack of appropriate training for staff in this area. Childcare services are necessary tools to ensure consistent service provision for children with disabilities.
“CiNI established that if additional training could be provided this would assist in helping to maintain a level of consistency when it comes to service provision.
“The training programmes that have been organised are supported by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) through the Childcare Fund and we welcome this commitment.”
In 2004, the Promoting Social Inclusion (PSI) Working Group on Disability identified barriers to employment, education, transport, housing, access to information and lifelong learning for children and adults with disabilities.
The working group made a series of recommendations, including, more childcare provision for families with children with disabilities.