A York charity group's pioneering work to enhance the lives of disabled children has led to new guidelines being backed by Government ministers.

Research by PACT, the Children's Society's office in Yorkshire, tries to open up the world of children with disabilities by improving techniques of communication with them.

The work is aimed at getting children with severe learning difficulties to give their opinions about anything from whether they have a bath or a shower at night, or whether they are unhappy with someone caring for them.

After a pilot study involving 60 York children, the results have formed the basis of an information pack "I'll go first" which is being distributed among carers and people who work with disabled children across the country.

During the pilot project, some children made it clear that they were not enjoying their respite or after-school care. Others had to stay with people they disliked. Some didn't like spending so much time away from home.

Social worker Tom Peters piloted the project with a 15-year-old girl, called Sally, who has learning and physical disabilities which require 24-hour care.

She did not talk and communicated through gestures and eye contact.

Using the pack, Tom asked Sally to point with her eyes at photos of her favourite family members and the sorts of activities she enjoyed. She could also choose between things like a bath or a shower at night using images.

As a result of the pack, Sally was consulted about her respite care and went to her social services review for the first time.

The best result was that the friend she used to visit became her official "befriender", paid for as part of her care rather than by her family.

Introducing the pack, Government Ministers John Hutton and Charles Clarke, from the departments of health and education and employment, said: "Especially in the social care of disabled children, a culture of listening to children's views on everyday questions must flourish or children will not gain the experience of knowing how to respond if asked about serious matters, for example alleged abuse or where they would prefer to live."

Lucy Kirkbride, of PACT Yorkshire, who compiled the pack, said: "I'm excited to see so much research and development work produce such effective results.

"We've always believed that disabled children are children first and foremost - and they worry about the same things as other children.

"The only difference is that they can't always make it clear what is worrying them, because people won't listen. I hope 'I'll go first' will make a real difference."

Tom and Sally's real names have been changed to protect their privacy.

see COMMENT 'Put children first'

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