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Institutionalising Parent-carer Blame

21 July 2021 | LEaP, Professor Luke Clements, University of Leeds School of Law | 15 Comments

Disabled children and their families are one of the most severely disadvantaged groups in the UK. A major research report ...

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Happy 20th Birthday Cerebra!

Birthday, Chris Jones

“I have many different emotions when I let it sink in that we are celebrating Cerebra’s 20th birthday. No different ...

Variety, Smiles And Fun With Our Toy Library

postal lending library, sensory toys

Sarah explains how our toy library has helped her daughter Betsy to have fun and variety in her life. “Betsy ...

a young boy sat at a desk looking at an iPad

Assistive Technology – enhancing independence for children living with brain conditions

assistive technology, CL Medilaw

“For people without disabilities, technology makes things easier. For people with disabilities, technology makes things possible.” IBM Training Manual, 1991. ...

Prematurity

premature birth, Prematurity, University of Leeds

For most mothers pregnancy is a safe and straightforward process but for 1 in 5 unexpected complications can occur and ...

happy disabled boy painting with his family

Introduction to Cerebra PhD Student Daniel Sutherland

Cerebra PhD, Positive Family Connections, University of Warwick | 1 Comment

My name is Daniel Sutherland, and I am doing a PhD at the University of Warwick funded by Cerebra. My ...

a mother holding her child on a space hopper

Cerebra will be delivering our Accessing Public Services Toolkit Workshop

legal rights, Public Services Toolkit, workshop

We're delighted to announces that Cerebra will be delivering our Accessing Public Services Toolkit Workshop on Monday 13th December 2021. ...

Educational Tribunal Appeals in Wales: Which website do I need – SENTW or ETW?

additional learning needs, Education, Wales

On 1 September 2021 the law about children with learning difficulties and disabilities living in Wales changed as the old special ...

School And Mental Health – Survey

mental health, Rare Genetic Conditions, school experience, survey | 2 Comments

Our PhD student Lowri O'Donovan has put together a survey for parents of children with rare genetic conditions. Working with ...

A Model For Early Years Family Intervention Supports

Parent Blame | 4 Comments

A model for Early Years family intervention supports for children with global developmental delay/ emerging learning disabilities in Wales: professional ...

Sleeping, Playing and Learning

Library, postal lending library, Sleep

David is almost two years old and is a happy little boy who loves books, toy trains and going on ...

Planning your Child’s Future: Transitioning from Child to Adult

Children's Act, Future Planning, Hyphen Law

Planning your Child’s Future: Transitioning from Child to Adult The days are long, but the years are short. Words that ...

Watch Me Play!

research study, take part in research

Are you interested in taking part in a Watch Me Play! study? Watch Me Play! is a programme for parents ...

Louise takes on Marathon Challenge for Cerebra

CL Medilaw, fundraise, London marathon

Louise Astill, a solicitor from CL Medilaw, a firm specialising in medical negligence and serious injuries, is gearing up to ...

Back to Basics: Parent Child Relationships in Families with Children who have Typical and Atypical Development

CEDAR, CEDAR Seminar Series

Professor Carlo Schuengel opened his CEDAR seminar series talk by reflecting on the pandemic and what a special time it ...

Teddy is Going Places with his Oxy-gem!

CIC, Innovation centre, oxy-gem

Teddy was born healthy and well, although he suffered with what we thought was terrible reflux. When he was a ...

Cerebra awarded Association of Medical Research Charities membership

AMRC, medical research, research

Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) - Cerebra Membership The Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) is a membership organisation ...

Wales: Code of Practice on the Delivery of Autism Services

Autism, Wales, Welsh Government | 1 Comment

The Welsh Government has issued a Code of Practice on the Delivery of Autism Services (CoP) and accompanying supporting guidance ...

Transition to Employment Toolkit for Autistic Young People

Autism, employment

Ambitious about Autism have launched a new toolkit to support autistic young people moving into the workplace. The organisation explains ...

Wales: Changes to the Transfer Timetable for Moving from the Special Educational System to the New Additional Learning Needs System

ALN, SEN, Wales | 1 Comment

On 14 July 2021, Jeremy Miles, Minister for Education and the Welsh Language issued a written statement explaining that the ...

England Publishes a New National Strategy for Autistic Children, Young People and Adults

Autism, England | 2 Comments

On 21 July 2021 the government published a new national strategy for improving the lives of autistic people and their ...

Legal help Cerebra charity for children brain conditions.

Extended Powers SEND Tribunal National Trial to Continue

Education, EHCP, SEND

On 20 July 2021, the Department for Education confirmed the extended powers given to the special educational needs and disability ...

Institutionalising Parent-carer Blame

LEaP, Professor Luke Clements, University of Leeds School of Law | 15 Comments

Disabled children and their families are one of the most severely disadvantaged groups in the UK. A major research report ...

Welcome To Our Newest Recruit

Library

We are delighted to welcome Ffion Parsons as the newest member of our team. Ffion, from Carmarthen, has joined us ...

‘Day by Day’ by Joanna Griffin – Book Review

'Day by Day', Book Review, Library

‘Day by Day: emotional wellbeing in parents of disabled children’ If you're struggling with the emotional turmoil of being the ...

Can an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) help my child after a brain injury?

Birchall Blackburn Law, Education Health & Care Plan, EHCP

Can an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) help my child after a brain injury? If your child has a ...

A Second Chance

ABI, epilepsy | 1 Comment

We recently had the pleasure of being contacted by Joey, a 16-year-old from Northern Ireland whose life was turned upside ...

A selection of toys available from cerebra's lending library

Try Before You Buy With Our Sensory Toy Library

Library, sensory toys

Our specialist postal library contains a wide range of books for both adults and children and a selection of toys ...

Pobl Trust Fund Innovation Centre Materials

cerebra innovation centre, CIC, Pobl group

Pobl Trust is the registered charity of Pobl Group – a not-for-profit based in Newport which is aiming to make ...

“My cheeks get red and my brain gets scared” – learning about anxiety in children with autism

Autism, autism research, CEDAR Seminar Series

Associate Professor, Dawn Adams, began her CEDAR Seminar Series talk by highlighting her research focus on autism and anxiety and ...

Cerebra Network Launch a Success

Cerebra Network, research

The Cerebra Network recently held a virtual event to celebrate the launch of their new dynamic network of researchers. The ...

Design to Change Competition Winners

Bolt Burdon Kemp, cerebra innovation centre, CIC, innovation

Bolt Burdon Kemp have announced the winners of their Design the Change competition. The competition, which is now in its ...

Cerebra Network Launch Event

Cerebra Network, research | 4 Comments

The Cerebra Network will expand upon the work of the Cerebra Centre, which was led by Professor Chris Oliver and ...

Early therapeutic intervention for acquired brain injury

BBK, brain injury, Intervention, Parents

Many parents feel frightened and overwhelmed when they learn that their baby has sustained an irreversible brain injury. They are ...

Going the Extra Mile for Cerebra!

fundraising, half marathon, Running

The London Landmarks Half Marathon takes place on 1st August and we caught up with one of our superhero runners, ...

Charlie with his certificate from Cerebra

Charlie Is Flavour Of The Month

Bake sale, fundraising

Charlie Nine year old Charlie from Surrey decided to put his baking skills to the test in order to help ...

YouTube Sensation Becomes Cerebra Ambassador

Ambassadors, Emily Nicole

We are delighted to announce that YouTube sensation, Emily Nicole Roberts has become a Cerebra Ambassador. Emily, 22 from South ...

Sensory Pod Chairs Project Underway Thanks To Nationwide Donation

CIC, donation, innovation, Nationwide | 4 Comments

We would like to say a huge thanks to Nationwide and particularly their team at the Rotherham branch for their ...

Disabled Facilities Grants – One Family’s Story

Disabled Facilities Grant, LEaP, Luke Clements | 8 Comments

One mum tells us why her autistic son belongs at home and how a Disabled Facilities Grant made it possible. ...

The Hidden Face of Autism

Autism, autism research, CEDAR Seminar Series | 1 Comment

Wenyuan Liu Professor Mandy opened the seminar with some general thoughts about autism, particularly the history and changes in how ...

Having to be your child’s voice when you don’t know what questions to ask

Client Journey, enable law

Enable Law take a look at having to be your child's voice when you don't know what questions to ask. ...

Sleep Advice: Chronotherapy and Phased Advancement

chronotherapy, Phased Advancement, sleep service | 2 Comments

Sarah got in touch with our Sleep Service at a point when she felt that her family had run out ...

Wales: Additional Learning Needs Code and Regulations Approved

additional learning needs, Education, Wales

The SEN/ALN forms passed a new milestone when the ALN Code and regulations were approved by the Senedd on 23 March. ...

Our Knowledge Transfer Project (Mental Health) Identified As Good Practice

Cardiff University, KTP, mental health

Genetic Alliance UK has published the final report on the Cross Party Group on Rare, Genetic & Undiagnosed Conditions highlighting ...

Law Students Investigate Social Needs Assessments

LEAP project, Social care needs assessments, Student Project, University of Leeds School of Law | 2 Comments

The Cerebra Legal Entitlements and Problem-Solving (LEaP) project is innovative and helps families of children with brain conditions cope with ...

A History of Controversies over the treatment of autism with behavioural therapies

Autism, autism research, CEDAR Seminar Series

Nikita Hayden Milana Aronov opened her CEDAR Seminar Series talk by highlighting how relatively under-explored autism is in the humanities. ...

A unique set of wheels for 3-year-old Henry

1 Comment

A bike trailer created by our Innovation Centre at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) has given a young ...

Preventing Pregnancy Complications #IWD21

#IWD21, International Women's Day, pregnancy, University of Barcelona, University of Leeds

At the University of Barcelona we meet two Elisenda’s whose work tries to identify deviations in foetal brain development as ...

Cerebra Women At The Forefront Of Research #IWD21

#IWD21, International Women's Day, UCL, University of Leeds School of Law

In this post we’re meeting Tracy Elliott who is driving forward our research and information work, Ana Aiello who is ...

Championing Mental Health #IWD21

#IWD21, Cardiff University, International Women's Day, KTP, mental health

Research shows that children with rare genetic disorders often struggle with their mental health. Yet families have trouble finding helpful ...

Cerebra Women Making A Difference #IWD21

#IWD21, CNND, International Women's Day

As part of our International Women’s Day campaign we are catching up with some of the women researchers that are ...

Growing up with CP – Becoming a Youtube Sensation!

blog, Cerebral Palsy, Emily Nicole, youtube | 2 Comments

Growing up, Emily never felt as though any of the people she saw in the media represented her and knew ...

This Is Our Family

Ambassadors | 1 Comment

Earlier this year Sky Atlantic broadcast the documentary ‘This Is Our Family’ which took three years to film and followed ...

LEaP Project Recognises Exceptional Contribution Of Students

LEAP project, University of Leeds School of Law

The Caroline Gooding Memorial Lecture is an annual event in memory of Caroline Gooding’s pivotal role in conceptualising a rights-based ...

COVID-19 Guide for Carers and Family Supporting Adults and Children with Learning Disabilities

Autism, learning disabilities, Parent Guide

The Social Care Institute for Excellence has produced a new guide to help family members and carers living with and ...

Libby is going places with her new Walker!

cerebra innovation centre, CIC, Innovation centre, walker

We wanted to share some wonderful footage of Libby receiving a surprise gift from our Innovation Centre! At just 18 ...

Learning at Home with our Library

Library, lockdown, postal lending library

Cerebra’s postal library service is still open during the lockdown. While the kids are at home and you are home ...

Practical Tips for Effectively Accessing Public Services for your Disabled Child

John Furlong, LEAP project, Legal Entitlements

Unfortunately many families struggle to access the education, social and health services for their children that they are legally entitled ...

Public Health Wales looking for Two Patient and Public Involvement Members

research, take part in research

Public Health Wales are looking for two Patient and Public Involvement members for a research project briefly outlined below: Public ...

Clinical Criteria For Diagnosing Autism Inadequate For People With Genetic Conditions, Research Suggests

Autism, Cardiff University, Genetic Conditions, research

People with certain genetic conditions are likely to have significant symptoms of autism, even if they do not meet all ...

Christmas Sleep Tips

Christmas, Sleep, sleep tips

During the Christmas break the change in routine and dark, colder nights can often make sleep difficult. It can be ...

An Update On Judith And Rose’s Sleep Story

Sleep, sleep service, story

Earlier this year Judith got in touch to tell us how our Sleep Service had given her the advice and ...

Our Fundraisers And Supporters Rise To The Challenge

Call centre

There's no doubt that we would be unable to continue our vital work to help families discover a better life ...

Update on the powers of a property and financial affairs Deputy

Financial Law, mental capacity

A recent case in the Court of Protection[i] has given property and financial affairs Deputies clarity about the extent of ...

Our Research Helps Families To Get A Good Night’s Sleep

CNND, Sleep, UCL

We know that sleep affects every single aspect of our waking lives – our mood, behaviour, physical and mental well-being, ...

Barney’s Christmas-a-thon

Christmas-a-thon, fundraising | 1 Comment

Seven year old Barney is doing something amazing this Christmas – a Christmas-a-thon! What’s a Christmas-a-thon you ask? During December, ...

Brain injury at birth guide for parents

legal advice, Leigh Day, premature birth

Being a new parent involves a huge learning curve but when you are told something is wrong with your baby ...

England: Updated Guidance for Opening of Special Schools

Coronavirus, Government guidance, special schools

The guidance for the full opening of special schools and other specialist settings was updated on 20 November. The update ...

Useful Resources from the Council for Disabled Children

Coronavirus, Council for Disabled Children, Luke Clements

Amongst the many useful resources parents of disabled children can find on the Council for Disabled Children’s (CDC) website we ...

Wales: Update on the Additional Learning Needs System

additional learning needs, Wales, Welsh Government

The Welsh Government issued the following update below on 25 November: The Senedd yesterday approved the ‘Draft: Additional Learning Needs ...

Our new look Oxygems are ready to roll!

Oxygem

Cerebra’s Oxygems, designed and built by our Innovation Centre, have made a big difference to the lives of children all ...

A Fond Farewell To Anthea

We've said a fond farewell to one of Cerebra's longest serving members of staff – Anthea Wright who retired last ...

Embracing Complexity Through Art And Science

Cardiff University, mental health

Dr Sam Chawner from Cardiff University has teamed up with Phenotypica, an art and science initiative by scientist Ben Murray ...

Mental Capacity – Trustee, Attorney, Appointee or Deputy?

appointee, attorney, deputy, enable law, Law, mental capacity, trustee

If you're the parent or guardian of a child that is expected to lack capacity as an adult, it can ...

Useful Children and Young People Mental Health Resources

CAMHS, Law, mental health

Navigating the children and young people’s mental health system can be very daunting but the following resources could be very ...

Mental Health Support For You And Your Family

mental health, support services

Whether it’s being able to spot the signs of anxiety and pain in a child with complex needs or looking ...

Books on Mental Health in our Library

Mental Health Library books for Adults A Practical Guide to Mental Health Problems in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder by ...

Improving Mental Health Support in Schools for Children With Rare Conditions

infographic, Lowri, mental health

Lowri is our Knowledge Transfer Project Mental Health Research Associate. She explains about a visual map that was created following ...

England: New and Updated Government Covid-19 Guidance

Coronavirus, England, Guidance

Since the start of the epidemic the Government has produced a significant amount of guidance for schools, social services and ...

Wales: Consultation on the Delivery of Autism Services

Autism, Wales, Welsh Government

The Welsh Government has launched a consultation on a code of practice dedicated to the delivery of autism services in ...

England: New and Updated Government Covid-19 Guidance

Coronavirus, England, Guidance

Since the start of the epidemic the Government has produced a significant amount of guidance for schools, social services and ...

England: New and Updated Government Covid-19 Guidance

Coronavirus, England

Since the start of the epidemic the Government has produced a significant amount of guidance for schools, social services and ...

Wales: ALN Code Delayed

ALN, Wales, Welsh Government

As part of the Welsh Government’s ongoing special educational needs reform which resulted in the passing of the Additional Learning ...

School transport, Cerebra help with families of children with brain conditions.

Wales: School Transport Review Extended to 0-4 Year-Olds and Mileage Thresholds

legal rights, school transport, Wales | 2 Comments

Local authorities in Wales must make free travel arrangements for eligible children of compulsory school age, that is to say ...

Top 5 Tips to Help you Become a Savvy Stepper

campaign, challenge, fundraising, step up, steps

We recently launched our new campaign where we're asking you to Step Up for Cerebra. As part of the challenge, ...

Loneliness When Parenting a Child with Complex Needs

App, Friendili

Mum Jessica Barker explains how her family experience led her to develop a friend finding app for parents and carers ...

England: New and Updated Government Covid-19 Guidance

Coronavirus, England, Government guidance

Since the start of the epidemic the Government has produced a significant amount of guidance for schools, social services and ...

Mental Health and Wellbeing Toolkit for Primary Schools

mental health, signpost, wellbeing

As schools prepare for children and young people to return in September, supporting and prioritising mental health and wellbeing will ...

Legal and financial help Cerebra charity for children brain conditions.

The Lessons We’ve Learned From Covid

Covid-19, LEaP, Legal Rights Service

Our Legal Rights Service provides families of children with brain conditions with help when facing difficulties accessing support services they ...

Two Covid-19 Research Projects Looking For Families To Take Part

Coronavirus, support, survey

Two organisations are looking for your opinions about support during lockdown. The National Children’s Bureau are looking for families, including ...

little girl wearing a bright coloured visor

Keeping Children With Brain Conditions Safe

CIC, Visors

We are working on a special project to keep children safe as schools get set to re-open. Our Swansea based ...

England: Additional Transport Guidance to Educational settings from the Autumn Term

legal rights, school transport

The Government published additional guidance on 11 August regarding transport to schools and other educational settings which comes into force ...

Legal Entitlements and Problem-Solving (LEaP) Project Cerebra

England: New and Updated Government Covid-19 Guidance

government, Guidance

Since the start of the epidemic the Government has produced a significant amount of guidance for schools, social services and ...

Learning Your Child Has Cerebral Palsy – What Next?

Bolt Burdon Kemp, Cerebral Palsy

Through years of representing inspirational children with brain injuries and working with their amazing families, I understand that in the ...

Appeal To Parent Support Groups To Participate In Our Children’s Services Assessment Survey

LEAP project, parent support group, survey | 2 Comments

Cerebra’s Legal Entitlement and Problem-solving Project (LEaP) is carrying out a research project with Professor Luke Clements, Cerebra Professor of ...

Getting Back To Normal At Our Library

books, Library, postal lending library

We are pleased to announce that our postal book library has reopened. As usual, you can borrow two books at ...

Unlawful restrictions on the rights of disabled children with autism to social care needs assessments

Autism, LEaP, University of Leeds School of Law

Autism is classed as a disability and all children with disabilities have a right to an assessment of their needs. ...

41 Local Authorities are unlawfully discriminating against autistic children

Autism, Press Release | 1 Comment

According to a report published today by Disability Law Service, Leeds University, Cerebra and the BBC, at least 41 Councils ...

Child Mental Health: Resources To Help Young People

Anxiety, Depression, mental health, stress

The Coronavirus pandemic has caused significant and sudden change to our daily lives. Statistics show that this has caused a ...

Autism: A Lack of Social Care Support

Autism, Social Care, Yorkshire

We recently published a post asking families in the Yorkshire area to get in contact if their child with autism ...

Welsh Government Seeks Your Views On How Wales Should Develop Post-Covid

Coronavirus, Covid-19, Wales, Welsh Government

The Welsh Government has launched a national conversation with the people of Wales on how it “should support future post-Covid ...

Ice-cream Delight For Carmela

cerebra innovation centre

Enjoying an ice cream on a hot summer day is something most of us take for granted. For six year ...

Department for Education to reintroduce full Education, Health and Care Plan Support

Department for Education, EHCP

In May, the Government implemented temporary law changes regarding Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP) as a result of the ...

SEN Tribunal in Wales issues directions on electronic submission of paperwork

special educational needs, Wales

The Special Educational Needs Tribunal for Wales (SENTW) is continuing to hear cases during the coronavirus pandemic but in virtual ...

Follow-up: Your experiences of Obtaining a Parent Carer Needs Assessment

LEaP, LEAP project, Parent carers needs assessment | 2 Comments

Last month we published an article where our LEaP Project asked you for your personal experiences of obtaining a Parent ...

Our Legal Rights Service Helps Family With Parent Carer Needs Assessment

Legal Rights Service, PCNA

Elena got in touch with our Legal Rights Service after her local authority (LA) repeatedly refused to undertake a standalone ...

Cerebra Funding for The Cerebra Network for Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Cerebra Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, funding, research | 5 Comments

We are delighted to announce £829,000 of funding for the Cerebra Network for Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Tracy Elliott, Head of Research ...

Autism and Lack of Social Care Support – Can You Help?

Autism, LEAP project, legal rights

Our Legal Entitlements and Problem Solving Project (LEaP) is looking for a family in the Yorkshire area to be interviewed ...

smiling little boy who got a good night's sleep thanks to the cerebra sleep service

Bedtime Settling and Night Time Waking

night waking, settling, Sleep, sleep service

Cathy and her family were all struggling with the impact of her son's inability to settle at bedtime and his ...

Cerebra’s Innovation Centre supplies child friendly visors to schools

CIC, Covid-19, Face Visors | 6 Comments

Lock down has meant that our Innovation Centre staff have been unable to work on their regular projects so they ...

Education - Cerebra charity for children with brain conditions

Update on Schools in England and Wales

Education, England, Wales

The Government has removed plans for primary school children in England to return to school before the end of the ...

Cerebra Family Research Group End Of Grant Report

1000 Families study, Cerebra Family Research Group, Professor Richard Hastings, University of Warwick

The Cerebra Family Research Group has released its End of Grant Report outlining the focus of their work well as ...

University of Leeds LEaP students and staff.

Delivering Legal Rights End of Grant Report

Cerebra Legal Entitlements and Problem Solving Project, Professor Luke Clements, University of Leeds School of Law

The School of Law at the University of Leeds has published its end of grant report summarising the achievements of ...

How a Brain Injury can Affect your Child’s Education

brain injury, Education

Laxmi Patel, Partner and Head of Education at Boyes Turner takes a look at how a brain injury can affect ...

Guidance in England for Returning to School

England, legal rights, school

The following information relates to England only. It does not apply to Wales. In England, the Prime Minister has announced ...

School Friends Hit the Road in Aid of Families and Carers

Cerebral Palsy, Enna Thea, fundraising, Iris

It was around five years ago when we first met Enna Thea and her mum, Catherine when they contacted our ...

little girl in shopping trolley give as you shop

Open Letter To Supermarkets

lockdown, open letter, supermarkets

We know that supermarkets are doing their best to keep the public safe during this really difficult time. But we’re ...

Sleep advice service emotional and mental health Cerebra.

Double Success For Deborah

Kaileigh, legal advice, Sleep, sleep advice

Kaileigh, who is one of our Sleep Practitioners recently helped Deborah and her daughter Olivia who was experiencing anxiety at ...

500 Face Visors for Care Homes

CIC, Face Visors

Our Innovation Centre team have been pulling out all the stops to help support frontline workers during the Coronavirus outbreak. ...

Samuel Turner collecting a cheque from Co Op

Mental Health Awareness Week – Kindness Matters

kindness, mental health, Samuel Turner

Samuel Turner is a young man with a passion for supporting Cerebra. His achievements are all the more remarkable as ...

Lowri on Mental Health Awareness Week

Lowri, mental health, Mental health awareness

This week we celebrate Mental Health Awareness week, the theme of which this year, is Kindness. What is Kindness? Kindness ...

Parent Carers Needs Assessments

Legal Entitlements, Parent carers needs assessment | 3 Comments

Our Legal Entitlements and Problem-Solving (LEaP) Project has received a request from a parent explaining that her local authority has ...

‘Vulnerable’ Does Not Mean ‘at Risk of Harm’

Coronavirus | 2 Comments

Since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic, we have heard people who are more likely to be ‘at risk’ by ...

Guidance for Councils and Care Providers During the Coronavirus Crisis

Coronavirus, Social Care

Back in March, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) suspended all casework activity that demands information from, or ...

Legal Team Shortlisted for Prestigious Award

Award, Law, legal, Legal Entitlements

Supported by the Attorney General, the LawWorks awards celebrate the best pro bono activities undertaken by law students and law ...

One Family’s Experience of a ‘Child in Need’ Assessment

child in need assessment, Legal Entitlements

In England and Wales, local authorities are under a duty to assess the social care needs of children who meet ...

Children’s Services Duties ‘Relaxed’ in England but not in Wales

children's services, legal rights

England A new set of regulations came into force in England on Friday 23 April which have controversially relaxed some ...

Face Mask Update From CIC

cerebra innovation centre, CIC, Coronavirus

"Hi Everyone, I hope you are all well and still coping with the lockdown! I will freely admit, it has ...

Welsh Government Issues New Guidance

Coronavirus, Welsh Government

On 21 April the Welsh Government issued new guidance on how children’s services should operate during the Covid-19 outbreak. The ...

Direct Payments and Prepaid Cards Success for LEaP Project

direct payments, LEaP, LEAP project, prepaid cards

Sophie, our LEaP Project co-ordinator, explains how we helped families with disabled children in one particular English local authority. The ...

Do Something Fun and out of the Ordinary – Join the 2.6 Challenge!

2.6 challenge, fundraising

Cerebra, like many charities across the country, have had to put a lot of fundraising plans on hold and with ...

New Items Available from our BorrowBox Library

borrowbox, digital library, Library

As we aren’t able to send books out at the moment, we have just added lots of new titles to ...

Disabled Facilities Grant Ruling

Disabled Facilities Grant, housing

In a judgment released on 2 April 2020, the High Court ruled that when processing an application for a disabled ...

Cerebra funded research at the University of Birmingham

Cerebra Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders. University of Birmingham.

The Cerebra Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders (CCND) is headed by Professor Chris Oliver and is based in the School of ...

Let’s get Artistic Together!

art, Coronavirus, together

It’s a very difficult and uncertain time at the moment. The Coronavirus pandemic has effected all of us in some ...

How our Sleep Service helps – Judith’s story

Getting to sleep, Sleep, sleep advice, sleep service

Our family “Our fifteen year old daughter, Rose, has an underdeveloped cerebellum. This affects her muscle coordination, which in turn ...

Legal Handbook for Families Launched

legal, Legal Entitlements, Professor Luke Clements

Legal Action Group has published its 3rd edition of Disabled Children: A legal handbook and is currently offering a 20% ...

Change in Lock Down Exercise Guidance for People With Health Conditions

Coronavirus, legislation

On 23 March 2020 the Prime Minister announced that all citizens were only allowed to leave where they were living ...

CIC Helps Create Protective Equipment for NHS Staff

cerebra innovation centre, CIC, Coronavirus, Innovation centre, UWTSD

Hi Cerebra family! I do hope you have all been coping well during lock down. I can tell you, in ...

We Back Campaign for Coronavirus Act Review

Coronavirus, coronavirus act

The Coronavirus Act 2020 worryingly relieves local authorities in England and Wales of their duties to provide crucial care and ...

Factsheet: Complaints, Public Bodies and Government Guidance

Complaints, Factsheet, Guidance, Public Bodies

The law that parents of disabled children and their supporters may have to deal with can be very complicated. We ...

Sources of Free e-books and audiobooks

digital library, ebooks, Library

Cerebra’s digital library focuses on neurological conditions, but there are plenty of other ways to get free e-books and audiobooks ...

Coronavirus Act: an Overview for England and Wales

Coronavirus, England, legal, Wales

By now you will probably be aware of the Coronavirus Act 2020 (The Act) and its potential impact on social ...

Changes to our Library Service

Coronavirus, Covid-19, Suspended Service

Sadly, due to the current situation we have had to suspend the book and toy library for the time-being. We ...

dr ross head works from home with his pet chickens

Lockdown Lowdown from CIC

blog

Okay, so here I go with my first ever blog - and what a time to start! So, we all ...

Getting school transport for your disabled child

LEaP, parent guides, school transport, template letters

In October 2019, Margaret contacted our LEaP Project to thank us for the information within our to School Transport Guide ...

Cerebra and COVID-19

Coronavirus, Covid-19, Statement

Despite the disruption caused by the current COVID-19 pandemic we would like to reassure you that Cerebra is still operational ...

Personal Independence Payments (PIP) Signposting

Benefits, Personal Independence Payments, PIP

Disability Living Allowance for people aged 16-64 has been replaced by Personal Independence Payments (PIP). This means that if your ...

Helping Layla get a good night’s sleep

Sleep, sleep service | 1 Comment

Because of her condition, Layla is also unable to communicate so she can’t explain how she is feeling or tell ...

An ‘Awesome and Wobbly’ time in aid of Cerebra

Awesome and Wobbly, comedy, fundraising, Leigh Day

On Tuesday 3 March, Leigh Day organised ‘Awesome and Wobbly’ - an incredible evening of music and comedy, all in ...

New campaign to recruit Everyday Superheroes

Everyday Superheroes, fundraising, Rockadove

More than 500,000 children in the UK have a brain condition, such as autism, and fight challenges every day when ...

New books in our library

Library, postal lending library

We have received £1000 to spend on specialist books for our postal lending library. This was kindly donated to us ...

Join our Project Advisory Group

knowledge transfer project, KTP, mental health, project advisory group | 3 Comments

Join our Project Advisory Group to help us improve mental health services for children with rare genetic developmental conditions. Background ...

Great Feedback for our CIC Fish Tank

cerebra innovation centre, CIC, fish tank, Innovation centre

Our Innovation Centre (CIC) were extremely busy before Christmas getting some of their sensory fish tanks out to lucky families. ...

New Mythbusters Available Now

mythbusters | 2 Comments

We have a a new range of factsheets called mythbusters available to download now. These aim to dispel common misconceptions ...

Lloyd Morgan of Rockadove and Ross Head from CIC

Rockadove Help us with Video Campaign

campaign, cerebra innovation centre, Rockadove, video

We are delighted to have been named the winners of the inaugural Third Sector prize which is a partnership between ...

An Introduction to Sophie and Legal Entitlements

Law, LEaP, LEAP project, Legal Entitlements, legal rights | 2 Comments

Sophie after running the Cardiff Half Marathon Hi- I’m Sophie and I’m the Legal Entitlements and Problem Solving (LEaP) Project ...

Lisa on Becoming a Family Research Ambassador

family research project, Lisa Reakes, toolkit

Lisa Reakes Lisa is one of our Family Research Ambassadors. She explains why she got involved and what she does ...

Books in the Library About Giving Birth to a Child with a Disability

Library, postal lending library, pregnancy | 2 Comments

General books L6316 Celebrating and Caring for your Baby with Special Needs: uplifting tips and advice to help you through ...

Born too soon: Claire’s Story

premature, premature birth

We were going home to enjoy Christmas. I couldn't have imagined for a second what was about to happen... Claire ...

Implementation of the Welsh SEN/ALN Reform Postponed

SEN

Kirsty Williams, Minister for Education, has issued a written statement postponing the roll out of the new special educational needs ...

Legal Entitlements and Problem Solving Conference

We are holding a conference on "Legal Entitlements and Problem Solving for Disabled People, their Families and Carers". 19 November ...

Local Government Ombudsman Report on SEND in England

report, SEND, survey

In a new report released on 04 October and called Not going to plan? – Education, Health and Care plans ...

Joshua’s Transition Part 4 – Direct Payments

direct payments, Joshua, Transition, transition to adult services | 1 Comment

This is part 4 in a series of articles that Emma has written for us. You can also read her ...

Home to School Travel and Transport Guidance Consultation -England

LEaP, LEAP project

Cerebra’s Legal Entitlement and Problem-solving (LEaP) Project, led by Luke Clements the Cerebra Professor of Law and Social Justice at ...

Wales International Film Festival

Samuel Turner, Wales International Film Festival

Samuel Turner is a young man with a passion – for supporting us and for making films. He is thrilled ...

Ruling the World!

cerebra innovation centre, CIC, ruler | 2 Comments

Ross Head from our Innovation Centre tells us of the team’s latest design to help children ‘rule’ the world! Whilst ...

What’s your Experience of Community Physical Participation?

Cardiff University, research

Hello. My name is Karen Visser. I am a physiotherapist, PhD student and Senior Lecturer at Cardiff University. You can ...

School Transport for Nat

LEaP, LEAP project, legal entitlements and problem-solving project, school transport

Our Legal Entitlements and Problem-solving (LEaP) Project helped Nat get transport to school and as a thank you he has ...

LEaP Project Helps Family to get a Continence Assessment at Home

Continence, LEaP, LEAP project, legal entitlements and problem-solving project

Earlier this year, our Legal Entitlements and Problem-Solving (LEaP) Project supported a family who had been told that their son’s ...

Building a Better Bedtime Routine

My daughter Avleen was born prematurely at 28 weeks but is now five years old. She was diagnosed with Autism ...

Our Innovation Centre help Harry to throw a ball for his dog

Cerebral Palsy, Motor Skills | 2 Comments

Cerebra Innovation Centre, with help from ATiC – the University’s integrated research centre – developed the tennis ball shooter for ...

New books in the library

Library

Check out the new books we have in our library. If you are not already a member you can borrow ...

A Helmet for Imogen

helmet, Horse riding, RDA

The new helmet being developed by CIC and UWTSD has been made to measure by using high tech equipment to ...

School, bullying and mental health

Bullying, mental health, Rare Genetic Conditions, school

School. Some of us fondly remember our days in school as ‘some of the best days of our lives’. School ...

Accessing Public Services in Scotland Toolkit Workshop

Accessing Public Services Toolkit, Problem-Solving Toolkit Workshops, workshops

Scots law provides powerful rights to education and support from other services, but this alone isn't enough. The law can ...

Embracing Complexity, Cerebra the charity for families of children with brain conditions

The Embracing Complexity Coalition launches

Embracing Complexity Coalition

We have joined leading UK Neurodevelopmental and Mental Health Charities to Launch The ‘Embracing Complexity Coalition’ The Embracing Complexity Coalition ...

Jigsaw, Cerebra the charity for families of children with brain conditions

SEND funding in England: the Government needs your views!

England, funding, SEND

Last week the Department for Education (DfE) in England made a call for evidence about SEND funding. As many of ...

New switch toys in the Cerebra toy library.

New Switch Toys in our Library

Library, postal lending library, sensory toys | 2 Comments

We have some exciting new switch toys in the library. Switches are accessible for all abilities, making them perfect for ...

CIC develop new sensory fish tank

CIC, fish tank | 3 Comments

CIC have developed a great new sensory fish tank. Fish are a great addition to a sensory experience, but are susceptible ...

Mair Elliott, Cerebra the charity for families of children with brain conditions

The long-term effects of unreliable, inconsistent support in CAMHS

Mair Elliott, mental health | 7 Comments

Unreliable and inconsistent support from CAMHS "When we discuss the high staff turnover, lack of reliable support, and other issues ...

Specsavers and Imogen at the top of Pen y Fan

Specsavers donates almost £20,000

fundraising, Specsavers

Staff at Specsavers opticians have helped donate nearly £20,000 to us, following a year of fundraising. 39 Specsavers stores across ...

Joshua’s Transition: Part 3

Emma and Joshua, family story, Transition | 2 Comments

Emma tells us about the challenges of transitioning from child to adult services. You can read part one here and part ...

We won! Innovation Centre success

CIC, St David Awards | 1 Comment

The Cerebra Innovation Centre (CIC), a partnership between Cerebra and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD), has won ...

Have you been told that your child is too young to have a continence assessment?

Continence, LEaP, legal entitlements and problem-solving project, Template Letter

Has your local continence team told you that your child isn’t old enough to have a continence assessment? Our new ...

Christine Bunting takes on her biggest challenge yet as she prepares to trek to Mount Everest Base Camp

base camp, Christine Bunting, Hyphen Law, Mount Everest

Christine with her equipment to get her to base camp Christine Bunting, a lawyer from specialist Court of Protection law ...

Amelie gets transport to school, with help from our LEaP Project

LEaP, legal entitlements and problem-solving project, school transport | 1 Comment

Karen, who lives in Surrey, contacted our LEaP Project in January for help with a school transport problem. Her daughter, ...

Cerebra Innovation Centre shortlisted for a St David Award

CIC, St David Awards | 2 Comments

The Cerebra Innovation Centre (CIC), a partnership between Cerebra and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD), has been ...

World book day in our library

Library, postal lending library, world book day

Thursday 7th March is World Book Day and we have lots of story books that are suitable for children of ...

Joshua's Transition to Adulthood with help from Cerebra.

Joshua’s Transition: Part 2

Emma and Joshua, family story, Transition

Emma tells us about the challenges of transitioning from child to adult services. You can read part one here. It ...

Meet our new Sleep Practitioners

Sleep

We're thrilled to introduce you to the two newest members of our sleep team, Carwyn Tywyn and Claire Cox. Carwyn ...

Has your child been refused a continence assessment at home?

Continence, LEaP, LEAP project, legal entitlements and problem-solving project | 8 Comments

Has your local continence team told you that they can only assess your child at a school/hospital, rather than at ...

Designing a better future for children with brain conditions with help from South Wales Freemasons

CIC, South Wales Freemasons, Swansea

Our Innovation Centre and the work they do to help children take part in and enjoy life alongside their friends ...

Samuel discovers freedom with his Oxy-gem

CIC, Oxygem, Oxygen trolley

Samuel's mum Joceline recently contacted our Innovation Centre. As a member of a parent group on Facebook, she had seen ...

Can you guess our most popular post from 2018?

Cerebra to benefit from Co-op Community Fund

Co-op community fund, Sleep

Vanessa with Dylan, Ryan and Taran This year we have been chosen to benefit from the Co-op Local Community Fund. ...

Cerebra and Cardiff University collaborate to advance support available to families

Cardiff University, mental health, Rare Genetic Conditions | 2 Comments

Hello, I’m Lowri and I’m really happy to be joining Cerebra to work on an exciting and new Welsh Government ...

Joshua’s Transition Part 1

Emma and Joshua, Transition

Emma tells us about the period of transition that her son, 17 year-old Joshua is about to face and the ...

Imogen draws our Christmas raffle winners

Christmas raffle, Imogen, raffle

Imogen with (L-R) our Head of Income Generation Terry Osborn, Neil form Specsavers and CEO Chris Jones We held our ...

The twelve days of Christmas with our Innovation Centre

CIC, Design, innovation, Products, surfboard | 6 Comments

Christmas is a time for joy and for making dreams come true. At our Innovation Centre we believe that all children ...

Is your child getting unsuitable continence products?

Continence, LEaP, legal entitlements and problem-solving project, template letters | 8 Comments

Have you been told that your child can’t have the type of continence product that she needs? Are you concerned ...

That dog has got a beard!

ADHD, Autism, children's books, postal lending library

We've got a great new children's book in our library that explores the consequences of being different. 'That dog has got ...

Accessing Public Services Workshops

accessing public services, toolkit, workshops | 2 Comments

Are you interested in hosting a workshop to help families access services for their disabled children? We are taking bookings ...

Making dreams come true this #GivingTuesday

#GivingTuesday, CIC, Giving Tuesday, Imogen

#Giving Tuesday is on November 27th and this year we’re celebrating the amazing work our Innovation Centre do to help ...

Soaring high

3 Comments

Our Innovation Centre are proud to make products that help disabled children to enjoy and experience life alongside their friends. ...

CIC come up with clever 3D printed solution

3D printer, CIC, Innovation centre, wheelchair

The Cerebra Innovation Centre (CIC) were recently asked for help with a small project, which really emphasises the usefulness of ...

Book reviews

Book reviews, Library

Our librarian Jan reviews two new books you can borrow from our postal lending library. ‘There are Things I ...

An introduction to us

Emma and Joshua, family story | 7 Comments

My name is Emma and I am married to Michael – it is our 23rd wedding anniversary today – and ...

Child with brain condition on a adapted surfboard.

Cerebra surfboard goes global

surfboard | 2 Comments

The team at CIC designed the surfboard in partnership with Roger Cooper for children with limited mobility and brain conditions. It ...

Alex rides the waves

CIC, Innovation centre, surf, surfboard, The Wave Project | 6 Comments

The team at the Cerebra Innovation Centre are dedicated to designing and making bespoke products that enrich a child’s life, ...

Special Educational Needs reform in Wales

additional learning needs, ALN, SEN, SEN Reform, special educational needs

The special educational needs (SEN) reforms in Wales are now a little under a year away from their introduction. The ...

Our LEaP Project helps change the Welsh Government’s guidance on continence products

Continence, LEaP, legal entitlements and problem-solving project, template letters | 2 Comments

Have you been told that you can’t have more than 4 continence products a day, even if your child needs ...

Improving the mental health of children with brain conditions

ADHD, Autism, Cardiff University, KTP, mental health, Schizophrenia

We are launching a new project to help families of children with brain conditions access timely and appropriate mental health ...

What can I do if my child needs me to be there in order for them to sleep?

gradual withdrawal, Sleep, Sleep Guide

For some children, falling asleep without an adult with them seems impossible. Perhaps your child is used to you sleeping ...

Caldicot girl with cerebral palsy climbs South Wales’ highest peak

Imogen, Pen y fan, Specsavers

Specsavers directors, team members and Cerebra staff with Imogen at the Pen y Fan summit Six year old Imogen Ashwell-Lewis, ...

Joint Statement on PenCRU by Cerebra and University of Exeter Medical School

The following joint statement concerns termination of funding from the charity Cerebra for the Academic Chair and PenCRU childhood disability ...

Big Thankxx to TKMaxx!

corporate, grant, Terry Osborn

Terry, Cheryl and Amanda We would like to say a huge thank you to Cheryl Phillips, the Store Manager at ...

Support in the Early Years Survey

Autism, Early Years Survey, survey, University of Warwick | 1 Comment

We are working with the Family Research Group at the University of Warwick, as well as with Mencap, Ambitious about ...

Get a good night’s sleep with help from our library

Book list, Library, sensory toys, Sleep, video

Join our librarian Jan (and teddy) as she talks through the different books and sensory equipment we have in our ...

Partnership pioneers better support services

Cardiff Unversity, KTP

We have forged a partnership with Cardiff University to improve services for families of children with debilitating brain disorders. The ...

Understanding and reducing sleep disorders in children with development delay

Cerebra Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Sleep Project

The Sleep Project at the Cerebra Centre for Neurological Disorders at Birmingham University is studying sleep in children with neurological conditions. ...

Difficulty settling at night

Laura MacDonald, Sleep, Sleep Practitioner

One of our Sleep Practitioners recently helped a family who were struggling to get their daughter to bed, and to ...

Object of comfort helps Poppy sleep

Kaileigh Wilson, object of comfort, Sleep

Poppy, Simon, Bella, Gigi and Rachel Mum Rachel contacted our Sleep Service to get some advice about daughter Poppy who ...

My child just won’t go to sleep

gradual withdrawal, Graduated Extinction, Sleep, Sleep Guide, sleep service

This article takes a look at what you can do if your child just won't go to sleep. It's taken ...

Cara smashes duathlon challenge

ambassador, Cara Readle, cycle, duathlon, run

Cara Readle One of our Ambassadors, Cara Readle, recently completed a duathlon and raised over £500 for Cerebra! This was ...

Innovation Centre’s spinning pod a big hit with Curtis

CIC, spinning pod | 8 Comments

Curtis and his spinning pod Louise recently contacted our Innovation Centre after seeing a post on our Facebook page about ...

Engage to Change

Engage to Change, placement

We're delighted to welcome Kyle Davies to our team following his Engage to Change placement with us. We were very ...

We have a new Chair of Trustees

Chair of Trustees, David Rose, Sean Taggart, trustees

We are pleased to announce that Sean Taggart will be joining the Board of Trustees on the 1st of September ...

Jonas enjoys sensory toys from our library

Library, postal lending library

Jonas with fibre optics Jonas' parents recently contacted our postal lending library to borrow some sensory lights. Mum Jolanta and ...

Summer Reading

Book list, Library

Are you looking for ways to entertain the children this summer? Did you know that you can borrow children's books ...

Handy tips for summer holiday sleep

Sleep, Tips | 2 Comments

During the summer holidays the change in routine and light, warmer nights can often make sleep difficult. It can be ...

Travel insurance covering children with disabilities

holidays, travel insurance

At this time of year, one of the questions coming in to our helpline is about travel insurance that ...

Cara draws winning summer raffle tickets

Cara Readle, draw, raffle, summer raffle

Cara with CEO Chris Jones and some of our fundraisers On 25th July actress Cara Readle, who is one of ...

Cara to take on duathlon challenge

ambassador, Cara Readle, duathlon, run

Cara Readle Swansea born actress Cara Readle, famous for her role in ‘The Story of Tracy Beaker’, will be taking ...

Epilepsy and getting a better night’s sleep

epilepsy, Sleep, sleep service

Louise recently contacted our Sleep Service for some advice to help 9-year-old Jonah get a good night’s sleep. Jonah has ...

Delivering legal rights through practical problem solving

LEaP, legal entitlements and problem-solving project, University of Leeds

In this article we explain our Legal Entitlements and Problem-Solving (LEaP) Project with the Centre for Law and Social Justice, the ...

The accessibility of Disabled Facilities Grant application forms

Disabled Facilities grants application forms, LEaP, LEAP project, legal entitlements and problem-solving project, Professor Luke Clements, University of Leeds | 1 Comment

A survey has found that about half of local authorities in England do not make application forms freely available for ...

Disability related expenditure and pets care costs

disability expenditure, LEaP, LEAP project, legal entitlements and problem-solving project, pet care costs, pets | 1 Comment

A survey has found that many disabled people are unable to afford to keep a pet dog or cat due ...

Knowledge Transfer Partnership success!

Cardiff Unversity, CNVs, KTP, mental health

We are delighted to announce that we have been successful in our Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) bid with the Institute ...

Effective interventions for long term change

Cerebra centre, Cerebra Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders

At the Cerebra Centre for Neurodevelopmental Conditions, University of Birmingham, the aim is to identify the causes of the most pressing ...

Our innovation team design the Boccia ramp of the future

Boccia

The CIC team have been working hard to create a high tech Boccia Ramp. Boccia is a ball sport, similar to ...

Borrow ebooks Cerebra for children with brain conditions.

Borrow fiction from our BorrowBox library

audiobooks, borrowbox, ebooks, Library

BorrowBox is great new service we offer that means you can now borrow ebooks and audiobooks from us. You can read ...

Ask, Listen, Do

Ask listen do, Autism, NHS England | 4 Comments

Do you care for a child or young person with a learning disability, autism or both? Have you ever raised ...

Overcoming sleep terrors

Anxiety, gradual withdrawal, night terrors, Sleep, sleep terrors | 2 Comments

In this article we take a look at what sleep terrors are, give advice on how to overcome them and ...

Innovation Centre help Livia gain independence

CIC, Innovation centre

Mum Alanah recently approached our Innovation Centre with a challenge that would help maintain her daughter's independence while keeping the ...

Six year-old Jake-Junior to run for Cerebra

5K, Birmingham, fun run, Jake-Junior, run

Jake-Junior When Jake -Junior cheered his dad from the side-lines as he completed the London Marathon, there was only one ...

Arctic Ride Alaska!

arctic rider

Gordon with his brother Robbie This summer Cerebra Ambassador Gordon Stuart will attempt his latest epic charity motorbike challenge. He ...

Tiny hats for tiny babies

hats, premature babies | 28 Comments

One of our dedicated fundraisers, Sam Elliott, has just knitted 39 baby hats for premature babies on the Neonatal Ward ...

Preventing neonatal brain injury and childhood disability

pregnancy, premature birth, University of Leeds

The main objective of the Cerebra Perinatal Research Centre at the University of Leeds is to make a difference in ...

Parents, researchers and charities join forces to create new resource for parents of children with learning disabilities.

ESRC, families, Warwick University, well-being | 1 Comment

The University of Warwick, Mencap, Cerebra, and the Challenging Behaviour Foundation have teamed up with parents of children with learning ...

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