Tendring Community Assets Full Final Report

16 and that there is a waiting list for counselling of between 4 to 16 weeks. YES also provides homeless prevention support for 16-19 year olds but this is not funded to cover Tendring, where risks are high. 4.8.7 Organisations supporting young people tend to work in partnership well, and their services complement each other. There is clearly a demand for more. This type of activity is always needed to ensure that young people get better life chances, informed guidance and support with the challenges which prevent them from securing employment or training and valuing themselves in order to start a career and have a stable income. Whilst risk factors for social disconnection vary through life, the impact on young people, their isolation and mental health, can be significant. 4.9 Families and Children and Young People who have Additional Needs 4.9.1 Tendring has a lot to offer parents/carers of and children with additional needs. There is always the issue of accessible transport and transport arrangements to be able to attend groups, which can act as a barrier to services. 4.9.2 In the West, Brightlingsea Saturday Club disco for people with learning disabilities (14+) runs on various Saturdays throughout the year. Mistley Kids Club offers fully inclusive after school and holiday care, and has its own SENCO to support children and young people with physical and learning disabilities and other medical conditions. It supports children aged from 4 years until 16 years or, if the child has special or additional needs, up to their 19 th birthday. 4.9.3 In the East, the Ark Centre provides a range of support services including sensory facilities, pre-school play, learning and outreach home based support. Unified Rainbow Support is group supporting parents, carers and families who have children with additional needs in Harwich and Dovercourt. 4.9.4 In the South, Colchester Gateway Club Clacton provides social clubs and activities for adults with learning disabilities. Walton Community Centre and Coppins Hall Community Centre have Special Needs Support Coffee mornings once a month, hosted by EXTRA. Shorefields School also hosts a monthly coffee morning. These give parents and carers of children with additional needs the chance to meet up and chat about common issues, with occasional speakers. 4.9.5 Across Tendring there is a range of services available. For children aged 2 upwards with speech and language problems, including stammering, and social communication, Essex Speech Therapy is an independent speech and language service which covers Tendring. Families InFocus, based in Chelmsford but outreaching across Essex, including Tendring, provides independent support to families who have children with additional needs to support parents with preparation for meetings, the one planning, statementing and appeal processes. 4.9.6 Crossroads Care runs Light Touch Respite, providing up to 4 hours per month respite to families who have a child with a disability who are NOT in receipt of a personal budget from ECC. Parents can choose how those four hours are allocated to fit their own lives. Support workers can provide personal care, specialised care and coach life skills. 4.9.7 To build confidence, trust and communication skills, Dogs for Development is a Community Interest Company which offers canine assisted therapy and sensory storytelling through individual or group therapy sessions. It supports adults and children with learning disabilities, autism, EBD and/or mental health problems.