The centre supports special needs children and their families. The centre caters for all types of special need from birth to seven years old. It offers a care nucleus, providing numerous services for both children and their parent/carers aimed at supporting the core of family life. These services include home visiting, holiday activities play-scheme, family support, early counselling, advice and guidance, toy and book library, parent support groups, nurture group, specialist therapy sessions, conductive education and early behaviour intervention therapy. The support provided is whatever the child needs at the time and the centre helps all families with a baby or young child aged 0-7 with Special Needs/Disabilities living within the Forest of Dean.
A child or the family can be referred by specialists at the statutory bodies such as Paediatrician, Health Visitor, Physiotherapist, Portage Worker, Early Years Practitioners, GP, etc. Families can also self refer by phoning the centre themselves to ask for advice. Carers can phone or write to the Family Services Manager requesting a visit. Then a home visit is arranged to establish the family needs.
The Centre provides an informal meeting place for parents and those professionals involved in the care of the children who have diverse and complex special needs. The scale of these needs range from severe to profound disabilities such as visual impairment, hearing impairment, Downs Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Dyspraxia, Autism, multiple disabilities, Spina Bifida, speech & language delay, behaviour problems, learning disabilities, plus many more, including those children who do not have a diagnosis.
Can you help?
Volunteer help is always appreciated, with the Holiday Play scheme, in the garden, or minibus driving or in reception. The Centre is always looking for help & new ideas, if you feel you can help the Charity in any way, however small, please contact Marilyn Smith at
The Forest of Dean Children's Opportunity Centre
Bowens Hill Road
Coleford, Glos.
GL16 8DU
tel: 01594 837 552
fax: 01594 837 662
email: admin@childoc.org.uk
web: www.childoc.org
CM/5312 Length: 300 words January 2009
News from London General Insurance Company Ltd
Media contact Ewart Woolley Tel: + 44 (0) 1594 516079
CMPR, The Mews,
Brook Street,
Mitcheldean, Glos,
UK GL17 0SL
IMAGES
Images optimised for web use, limited colour sets and high resolutions in a variety of size and formats as downloads or email attachments. Photographic prints are also available if required.
Contact Ann Taylor at Imaging Services +44 (0)1594 516079 if you have any special requirements or download problems.
