Norwood has secured funding from the London Borough of Barnet to appoint a dedicated transition worker to provide advice and support for young people with disabilities aged 13–18 years old, and their families to plan for their future. The project aims to make the transition easier for young people living in Barnet or attending a school in Barnet, who will move from being supported by local authority children’s services to adult services when they turn 18. The transition worker will assist in creating more choice and control over their future plans around education, employment, training, health, independent living as well as social and leisure activities.
Daniela Rodrigues, the recently appointed transition worker who is part of Norwood’s social work team is based at Norwood’s Kennedy Leigh Children & Family Centre in Hendon, and is already supporting 18 families who currently use Norwood’s children’s services. Daniela, who previously worked for the children’s disability teams in Brent and Newham, will be holding a surgery every Wednesday, starting from Wednesday 24th October. Funding for the project is secured until April 2008 and a social worker will continue to support families at the end of the pilot scheme.
Norwood Chief Executive, Norma Brier said: “This new service is so important to young people with disabilities and their families, to support them through transition planning and making decisions about their future after they leave school. The transition from children’s to adult’s services can be a very challenging experience for young people with disabilities, and the extra support will make a real difference.”
Families of young people with disabilities living in Barnet or attending school in Barnet who would like to find out more about the service, can call the Kennedy Leigh Children & Family Centre on 020 8457 4745.
For further information, please contact Naomi Creeger, Public Relations Manager at Norwood, on 020 8420 6900 or email naomi.creeger@norwood.org.uk
