Milton Keynes has a higher proportion of young people than many established towns and cities. This section aims to cover the wide range of support, activities, and facilities available for disabled children and young people in Milton Keynes. Children and young people also feature in other sections of the guide.
Children’s Social Care
Milton Keynes Council, 1 Saxon Gate East,
Milton Keynes, Bucks, MK9 3EJ
Tel: 01908 253169 /01908 253170
Web: www.milton-keynes.gov.uk /children-young-people-families/children-s-social-care
Children’s Social Care is part of Milton Keynes Council and deals with all aspects of social care regarding children and includes child protection referrals, family placement, adoption, and disability. The age group covered by this service is 0-18 years. There is also a multi-disciplinary group MASH – children’s social care, police, health and adult safeguarding. They also have links with education, probation, housing, youth offending team and CAMHS (child and adolescent mental health).
The Specialist Assessment and Intervention Team (SAIT) will become involved following a request from a Social Worker. This can lead to an offer of targeted intervention for support. There are different types of assessment, and these can include:
- Adult attachment interview
- Meaning of the Child interview
- Care Index (3 minute video observation)
- Narrative Story Stems
- Marshack Interaction Measure (M.I.M)
- Parenting Assessment Manuel Software (PAMS)
Milton Keynes Young People’s Wellbeing Service
Email: cnwl.mkwellbeingservice@nhs.net
This service is being delivered in collaboration between CNWL (Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust. They offer a safe space to discuss mental health and wellbeing. It aims to provide support at the earliest possible stage and intervention for those who may be feeling low, unhappy or sad. For example confidence building stress managements skills and support to improve resilience.
The service is for 11 – 18 year olds living in Milton Keynes and up to the age of 25 for young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities plus those with care experience.
To access the service or make a referral email: cnwl.mkwellbeingservice@nhs.net
Children and Families Practices (Central, North, South)
Civic Offices, 1 Saxon Gate East,
Milton Keynes, Bucks, MK9 3EJ
Tel: 01908 253169
Email: children@milton-keynes.gov.uk
Web: https://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/children-and-families-practices-central-north-south
Part of Milton Keynes Council’s Children and Families Services. Aim to make sure that children (up to 19 years old) and their families receive the right level of support when they need it most. A named key worker will be the regular point of contact. CFP have links with partner organisations to ensure support is coordinated. These include nurseries, schools, health services, housing, children’s social care, youth services, police, youth offending and probation plus community and voluntary groups.
MIND BLMK Young Person’s Sanctuary Milton Keynes
CAMHS Eaglestone Health Centre, Standing Way
Milton Keynes, Bucks, MK6 5AZ
Opening times: Monday – Sunday 4pm – 10pm.
Enquiries only: YPS@mind-blmk.org.uk
Drop-in service – a collaboration with CAMHS and Centre and North West London NHS Foundation Trust in Milton Keynes to provide crisis services for young people (14-17 yr olds) in need of mental health support. The drop-in’s are a safe, non-judgemental space to come to if a young person is in crisis for mental distress in the evenings. Those attending will be met by a trained youth mental health worker who will listen and help to identify ways to address problems being faced.
Early Help Directory
Children’s Services, Milton Keynes Council,
Civic Offices, 1 Saxon Gate East,
Milton Keynes, Bucks, MK9 3EJ
Web: https://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/children-young-people-and-families/early-help
Tel: 01908 253169
Email: children@milton-keynes.gov.uk
There is a link to the Early Help Directory from the webpage. It is designed to identify Early Help services for parents, children or whole families. Early Help is a term used to support families build on their existing strengths and build capacity and resilience.
On the webpage there is also a link to an Early Help Leaflet, additional information and an online Assessment Form.
Action for ME Young People’s Counselling Service
Free Tel: 0117 927 9551
Email: questions@actionforme.org.uk
Web: https://www.actionforme.org.uk/18-and-under/how-we-can-help/
This is a free counselling service for 13 – 18 year olds, with either suspected or diagnosed M.E. (myalgic encephalomyelitis). There are also free online workshops, a Young Person’s Community, Healthcare Services, monthly e-magazine, buddy writer, pen pal service and a registration form available online.
Child Brain Injury Trust
Field View, Baynards Green Farm Trading Estate,
Baynards Green, nr Bicester,
Oxfordshire, OX27 7SR
Tel: 01869 341075
0303 3032248 – Helpline
Email: info@cbituk.org
Web: www.childbraininjurytrust.org.uk
The Child Brain Injury Trust offers support for families across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. The support that the Child Brain Injury Trust offers includes:
- Ongoing support in hospital and at home
- Social opportunities for children and young people
- Training for parents, carers, and professionals
- Localised support
- Family support groups
- Information leaflets, booklets, factsheets, newsletters, and other resources
- Dedicated helpline available Mon-Fri 9:00am-5:00pm
- Annual conference for parents and professionals
To access this service, please contact the Child Brain Injury Trust on the above details or on their dedicated helpline.
Young Carers MK
Suite 1.05a, Challenge House,
Sherwood Drive, Bletchley
Milton Keynes, MK3 6DP
Tel: 01908 231703
Email: mail@carersmiltonkeynes.org.uk
Young Carers MK is the young carers service within Carers MK – they work with young people aged 8-16 years old who live in MK. A young carer is someone who cares for a family member due to disability, illness, long-term condition, poor mental health and/or addiction.
Services include social support and clubs, activities and outings, one-to-one support, home visits, advice and information, a newsletter every three months and family events.
Referrals are via on online form on the website. They are only able to accept referrals which the family has consented to and are willing to engage with their services.
Milton Keynes Gymnastics
15 Winchester Circle, Kingston, Milton Keynes, MK10 0BA
Tel: 01908 586500
Email: reception@mkgym.co.uk
Facebook: Milton Keynes Gymnastics
Milton Keynes Gymnastics offers gymnastic classes for children of all ages and abilities with normal, pre-school, recreational, adult gym, play gym or open gym sessions. Please see Facebook page for details of current offerings. They also offer birthday parties which includes 1 hour in the gymnastic centre which includes soft play, bouncy castle, gymnastic equipment and large foam pits.
Access: Disabled access and disabled toilets
Victa – Visually Impaired Children Taking Action
Challenge House, Sherwood Drive
Milton Keynes, MK3 6DP
Tel: 01908 240831
Email: admin@victa.org.uk
Web: www.victa.org.uk
Victa is a national charity set up to help families with visually impaired children or a young adult aged 29 or under with activities, services and grant programmes.
Activities: These include such things as Goalball, adaptive rowing, Chessington World of Adventures Theme Park, tea tasting workshops, white water rafting experiences, family days, Get Workplace Ready workshops, Photography course. Activities are country wide so check website for details of location, dates and costs (some are free).
Services: There is a parent portal to enable families to share knowledge and reduce feelings of isolation and stress. They also work with regional charities such as:
- Action4Youth
- Sight Concern Bedfordshire
- Bucks Vision
National charities include:
- Blind Veterans
- Guide Dogs
- Listening Books
- Macular Society
- National Federation of the Blind
- Nystagmus Network
- Retina UK
- RNIB
- Royal Society for Blind Children
- Stargardt’s Connected
- Thomas Pocklington Trust
Grant Programmes:
Support is offered to children and young adults to support the purchase of equipment to aid their visual impairment.
MK Dons Sports Education Trust (SET)
Stadium MK, Milton Keynes, MK1 1ST
Email: information@mkdonsset.com
This is an independent charity with a strong affiliation to Milton Keynes Dons. They aim to provide or assist in the provision of facilities and other leisure time occupation. They also aim to relieve sickness and disability to preserve and protect health.
They run community sessions for all ages and abilities to develop skills, build confidence and become more active members of their community. As a Sports & Fitness Club they offer inclusive programmes for those with disabilities:
- Disability Football (caters for all ages)
- Holiday camps
- Dementia, Stroke, Brain Injuries and Parkinson’s activities
- Custody and Intervention programmes
MK Dons Youth Disability Football is for young people aged 4 – adult with disabilities.
Groups meet at The Dome, Woughton-on-the-Green on Sundays with times from 3.30pm to 6.30pm depending on age with a session for adults on Thursdays (12.30pm – 2pm).
The sessions are run by MK Dons SET with FA qualified coaches.
Friday Club
Water Eaton Church Centre,
Drayton Road, Bletchley, MK2 3RR
General Enquiries: info@spurgeonbaptist.com
Web: https://spurgeonbaptist.com/events/friday-club/
This club is operated by Crosslinks and offers friendship and support to young people with learning difficulties. The club normally meets fortnightly on a Friday during term time with a safe, friendly environment providing games and activities such as pool and craft. Refreshments are available.
The first session is free for anyone who wants to come and look – after that a small charge of £1.50 – £2 per session.
PACA – Parents and Carers Alliance MK
c/o Carers,
Suite 1.05a Challenge House,
Sherwood Drive, Bletchley, MK3 6DP
Tel: 01908 231703
Mobile: 07852 526057
Email: pacamk@gmail.com
Web: www.pacamk.org
PACA is an independent and voluntary group of parents and carers. The group is open to parents and carers of children and young people aged 0-25 years old with disabilities or additional needs who live in Milton Keynes.
They work in collaboration with service providers in health, education, social care and leisure services in Milton Keynes and aim to fully include parents and carers in development and improvement of services.
Please see website for events and further information such as Coffee and Chat (runs monthly) and steering group meetings.
Milton Keynes Info, Advice and Support Service (SENDIAS)
Civic Offices, 1 Saxon Gate East,
Milton Keynes, MK9 3EJ
Tel: 01908 254518
Email: contact@mksendias.org.uk
Web: https://mksendias.org.uk/about-us
MK Special Educational Needs and Disability Service (SENDIAS) is a statutory service offering confidential and impartial information, advice and support to children and young people with additional needs and their parents/carers.
Support is available to families living in Milton Keynes, but the child or young person may be attending an education setting outside the borough.
Referral eligibility is broad, from a concern about a child or young person with a potential additional need, to supporting more complex needs. Self-referrals are preferred but 3rd party referrals will be considered – there is an on-line referral form.
Regular events such as workshops, annual information day and outreach activities take place – see website for details (https://mksendias.org.uk/events).
Events include:
- Workshops – virtual information workshops for parents and carers including Education, Health and Care Plan process, SEN support in schools. EHCP Annual Review and Exclusions
- Information Sessions – supporting 14-17 year olds in a Mental Health Crisis
- Drop-in sessions
See their website for more detailed information on how they can help
Reconstruct
Hobart House, Oakwater Avenue
Cheadle Business Park, Cheadle
SK8 3SR
Tel: 0800 0209 858
Email: info@reconstruct.co.uk
Web: https://reconstruct.co.uk/milton-keynes-portal/
Reconstruct provides an advocacy service, in Milton Keynes, to support children and young people in care, care leavers and young people.
The Children in Care Advocacy Service will provide support and advocacy for children in care aged 0-18 years and care leavers up to 25 who are placed both in and out of the authority area this includes:
- Children in receipt of social care
- Care leavers who are not transitioning into Adult Social Care
- Children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and disabilities
- Homeless children
- Children in a mental health setting
The service is independent, so looked-after children do not need to feel worried if they need to talk to someone about a problem that regards their home, or a service from an organisation such as the Local Authority.
The following categories are entitled to support from the Adult Advocacy Service and are not included in the Children’s Advocacy Service:
- Care Leavers transitioning into Adult Social Care
- Children complaining about health
- Over 16s lacking mental capacity
An Independent Visitor (IV) is an adult volunteer who is independent of Social Services. Their role is to establish a supportive and long term relationship with a young person built on trust. They offer guidance and help to build self-esteem plus new interests and skills over time. Eligibility:
- All Looked After Children
- Children with disabilities and special educational needs
- Normally children accessing this service are over 8 years old
There is an on-line referral form for this service and Return To Home Interviews – children who have been missing from Care.