Welcome to the Disability Toolkit
Are you looking for extra support and guidance in order to be confident when involving them in participation and decision-making activities?
At The Children's Society we understand your professional priorities and requirements and know how hard it is to keep up-to-date with new resources, research and policy. That is why we have developed a fantastic new website that provides you with all the resources, information and support you need to ensure young people's views wishes and feelings are heard.
The Children's Society has an established history working with disabled children and young people, so we understand your participation priorities and the Disability Toolkit can help you work towards your targets.
The Children's Society developed the Disability Toolkit with funding assistance from The Department of Children, Schools and Families.
About the Disability Toolkit
The Disability Toolkit is a one stop information hub and provides:
- A database of resources and practice examples. These have been sourced from a wide range of organisations, including but not limited to The Children's Society.
- Download free resources that have been developed by The Children's Society disability project specifically for professionals working with disabled young people.
- Upload facility allowing you to upload information about your own resources and practice examples so you can easily access and share news.
- Information on policy and research so you can keep up to date with the latest information and policy development.
- Case studies outlining the experiences of disabled children and young people from their perspective.
- Keep in touch by signing up for e-updates and practice news.
Why use the Disability Toolkit?
The Children's Society believes that the determination and imagination of disabled children who want to be understood should be matched by those who they need to understand them.
All children and young people have the right to be involved in decision-making, which involves a range of choices and decisions. On a daily basis this may include what they want for breakfast or what they would like to do after school. Other decisions may have a more long term impact for example, choice of residential placement or school.
The participation of children and young people in service development focuses on public decisions made about the collective interests of young people. We believe that disabled children and young people should play an important role in evaluating and developing the services they receive.
Who should use the Disability Toolkit?
The Disability Toolkit is useful for any person working with or supporting disabled young people, including: social workers; residential workers; teachers and learning support assistants, independent reviewing officers (IRO); key workers and link workers; advocates; personal advisors; participation officers; children's rights officers; health professionals; parents, carers and foster carers; managers; mentors; any other professionals involved.