On 2nd October 2018, two members of the CSW Group Cornwall team – Angela Nelson-Shepherd and Fran Dolan attended the Aim Higher Conference held at the Pavilion Centre, Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge.
The purpose of the event was for young people and their families to come along and join in with workshops and discussions regarding service developments for disabled children and young people – with feedback gained being used to shape service development.
During the course of the day there was the opportunity to attend a variety of workshops. These included Transport, Ambitions for Mental Health Services for Children, Early Years – Achievements and Aspirations and also Employability.
As well as the workshops there were also information stands from both statutory and independent sector providers and opportunities for networking which was a key part of the day.
The workshop on Transport gave parents/carers the opportunity to ask questions on how home to school/college transport is commissioned, and how the Council endeavours to meet the needs of students who require individualised transport arrangements.
The workshop was primarily a question and answer session on the broad subject of how home to school and post-16 transport is managed. CSW advisers work with young people and their parents to consider transport options and liaise with Cornwall Council to arrange assisted transport.
The Mental Health workshop highlighted the ‘Turning the Tide’ CAMHS transformation plan. The aim of this is to ensure agencies improve their response to children, young people and their families with emotional well-being and mental health needs. This workshop provided the opportunity for young people and their parents/carers to say whether they have seen anything improve or not, and to inform the offer of support being developed.
Angie and Fran both said that they felt that it was a very worthwhile event to attend with the voice of the young person being very much at the centre of the conference.