Aiming High
The Aiming High Team provides opportunities for children and young people with disabilities to enjoy a range of social and leisure activities outside of school hours.
This service is for children and young people with disabilities aged from birth to 18th birthday, who are residents of Swindon Borough Council and meet the Aiming High criteria.
This opportunities provided could range from information and advice about activities, support to access mainstream activities or the provision of Aiming High specialist services.
Children and young people who meet the criteria for the Aiming High Local Offer are eligible for a maximum of 80 hours of Aiming High support per year.
More information
Aiming High Short Breaks Statement
Aiming High Update
We wanted to update you on the status of Aiming High services during the latest Covid lockdown:
- Aiming High specialist groups have been able to continue running as normal within the lockdown guidelines, with strict Covid measures in place. Staffing is understandably more challenging due to strict bubbles, self-isolation and so on, meaning we may need to cancel some specific sessions, although we do everything we can to avoid this.
- UET Short Breaks is also continuing to operate, so any families who receive Aiming High funding for the UET will be able to continue to do so.
- As before, Direct Payment workers are able to continue working as critical workers, as long as this is appropriate for both the family and the worker. We have advised Direct Payment recipients that, as before, if they are currently unable/unwilling to use their worker, it may be possible to use some of their direct payment funding to buy equipment or technology to support their child during this lockdown. For example, arts and craft supplies, sensory toys and equipment or subscriptions. This can be up to an amount equivalent to the 7 week lockdown period (the exact amount will vary depending on their direct payment hours). They need to contact the Children’s Direct Payment team first, to discuss and agree any changes to how they use the funding (childrensdp@swindon.gov.uk or 01793 464231). Each case will be looked at individually and will take into account the agreement with their existing worker (if you are not using your worker there are some circumstances where you still need to pay them). Any agreed purchases would come out of the existing direct payment funding, this would not be additional funding. This will reduce the hours of support left over.
- There will be a small number of families who are unable to access their usual Aiming High support or are unable to use their direct payment funding for purchases. We will be contacting those families directly in the near future regarding a small amount of grant funding to cover the new lockdown period.
If you have any questions you can contact Aiming High on 01793 464080 or aiminghigh@swindon.gov.uk
Links
Swindon SEND Families Voice Parents and carers of disabled children whose aim is to make sure the services in their area meet the needs of disabled children and their families.
SIAS - Swindon SEND information, advice and support service
Page updated 16/04/21