Captial Boost for Disability Playschemes

Children with disabilities in Edinburgh are to be given greater access to playschemes during school holidays following a proposed £350,000 investment by Edinburgh City Council.

The proposal would mean disabled children being entitled to up to six weeks of access to respite playscheme services during the school holidays.  Currently about 400 children and young people with a disability receive varying levels of respite, depending on which special school they attend.  It’s hoped the extra funding will help to relieve some of the pressure on families, which can find holiday periods stretching.

Entitlement Increase

A report has been sent to the education, children and families committee which will be considered by councillors this week.  It recommends that more than £350,000 of extra funds are committed by 2014-15 to ensure entitlement to support is widened.

If the plans are approved, many children will see their entitlement increase within the next two years.

Councillor Paul Godzik, the city’s education leader, said: “We want to ensure that every child has the best possible start in life.

“The Capital Coalition pledged to increase support for vulnerable children by ensuring that all children and young people with a disability have the same level of access to this service.  With this extra funding we’re aiming to demonstrate that we realise how important this service is to families.”