Briefing Note for Applicants

Disabled Parents Network (DPN) is a small national charity of and for disabled people who are parents or who hope to become parents, and their families, friends and supporters. DPN provides help to families where there is a disabled parent and insufficient support for their parenting needs from Social Services.

The overall aim of the Support Service is to reduce pressure on disabled parent families by empowering disabled parents and their children, breaking down society's barriers which can lead to isolation and poverty. This will be achieved by improving access to support based on the individuals’ needs and the needs of the family as a whole.

Disabled Parents Network already provides a Support Service consisting of a busy telephone and e-mail helpline, web forums, a peer-support network and and a network of Local Network Link representatives, all staffed on a voluntary basis. With the support of The Big Lottery Fund, DPN now wishes to further develop the scope and professionalism of its Support Service and to provide effective support to a greater number of disabled parent families.

The development of the Support Service will be led within DPN by the Development Worker, reporting to a member of the Trustee Board. He/she will take over the running of the Support Service and its volunteers; recruit, manage, train and develop two part-time employed Support Workers; and recruit and train additional volunteers for the Support Service, particualrly for specialist areas such as direct payments. He or she will also manage and develop the Local Network Links. There are currently 22 Local Network Link volunteers spread across England, who represent DPN locally, support parents in their area and share experiences of best practice.

DPN is also currently recruiting a Family Advocate, who will work with those parents who need in-depth support. The Advocate will not work under the Development Worker but close liasion with him/her will be necessary, as well as with other DPN staff, volunteers and Trustees.

The Development Worker will be responsible either alone or with colleagues for ensuring the successful achievement of the following project outcomes:

1200 disabled parent families will feel a reduced sense of isolation/ improved opportunity for involvement in the community, i.e. accessing community facilities such as playground, shopping, school (parents evening) by the end of Year 4.
1800 disabled parent families will receive the information, assistance and support to be able to self-advocate with social, health and education services (e.g. social worker, occupational therapist etc.) for improved access to support they need in their parenting role by the end of Year 4.
168 disability related organisations will receive improved awareness/ understanding of the needs of disabled parents, leading to improved organisational capacity to meet those needs by the end of Year 4.

last updated: 17 Jun 08

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Registered Office: Disabled Parents Network, 81 Melton Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 8EN. Registered Charity No: 1087662