Our Register of Children and Young People (aged 0 to 25) with Disabilities helps us understand what support families need. This is so we can improve local Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services in Medway.
We use anonymous information to plan the right support in the right places.
Joining the register is voluntary. The more we understand about disabled children’s needs, the better we can support them and improve our services.
Who can be on the register
Children and young people can be on the register if they:
- are 25 or under
- live in Medway
- have a disability (either diagnosed or undiagnosed) for example:
- visual or hearing impairments
- physical disability or mobility problems
- learning disability
- long-term or terminal illness
- social communication or development disorders such as autism, Tourette’s, or dyspraxia.
The benefits of registering
Benefits of registering include:
- getting information on local services, resources and activities for you and your child
- having your voice heard. It's an opportunity for parents, carers, children, and young people to be involved in consultations on existing and new service developments and ideas within the borough
- getting information on relevant national and local organisations, charities, training and events that are relevant to children and young people with disabilities and their families
- receiving the SEND newsletter termly as well as updates from the Disability Services about the latest developments.
What the register does
As part of the Children Act 1989, all social services departments must keep a register of children and young people with disabilities to help with planning and monitoring of local services.
The register will:
- help us understand how many children and young people with a disability live in the area and the types of needs they have. This information helps us to provide appropriate services and support
- provide an opportunity for us to hear from children, young people and parents and carers about how to improve the delivery of information, advice, and support. This means we can work together to develop better outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities in Medway.
Add a child to the register
Registration can be completed using our online form by:
- the parent or carer of the child or young person with a disability
- the young person (16 to 25 years old) who has a disability.
If you need to register more than one child, a separate form needs to be completed for each child in the family who is disabled.
Before you begin
You’ll need to confirm the following information in your application:
- the child or young person’s name, date of birth and address
- the child or young person’s gender and ethnic groups (optional)
- the disabilities the child or young person lives with
- your name, relationship to the child or young person, contact email address and phone number (optional)
- your future communication preferences.
Add a child to the Register of Children with Disabilities
What happens after
We’ll automatically add the child or young person to the register. If you provided an email address, we’ll send you a confirmation email.
If we’ve got any queries or need further information, we’ll contact you using the details you gave us.
We’ll also add you to our (distribution) list if you signed up for our communications.
Removing details from the register
We automatically remove your child's details once they reach 25 years old.
You can also request to have your child’s details removed at any time. Email disability.register@medway.gov.uk and we will remove all details within 30 days.
Your data
We use the information you provide to help plan and improve services for children with SEND.
Your information is protected under the Data Protection Act 2018, which means:
- we do not share personal details about your child with other organisations
- any information we share will be anonymised
- the Disabled Children’s Register is not linked to NHS systems
- we only share information if we are legally required to do so, and always follow strict data protection rules
- by completing the form, you give consent for us to use your information to add your child to the register.