Gateshead network of children with disabilities

By law we must keep a register of children and young people with a special educational need or disability, up to the age of 25. In Gateshead we call this the Children and Young People's Network. We use it to help us improve services now and in the future.

The purpose of Gateshead network of children with disabilities is to collect information about children who have a disability and/or learning disability and live in Gateshead. The information you provide will help to assist in the planning, monitoring, and development of services for disabled children/young people and their families in Gateshead and will enable the Local Authority to communicate all correspondence back to you. The Council may share anonymised information with other organisations to help plan services. All Councils have a legal obligation to maintain a register under the Children's Act 1989.

Completing the register is entirely voluntary. Details of your child cannot be added without your permission. If you decide to tell us about your child you can choose which questions you wish to answer. Providing the details of your child/children for the register is not a way of being assessed for services. It will not provide or take away any services for you or your child.

You can tell us about your child by completing the register if they live in Gateshead and:

• have needs as a result of a disability or learning disability
• have a long-term illness or health condition
• need help with personal care
• need help with communicating their needs and feelings
• receive Disability Living Allowance; and/or
• are under 25 years old

When you complete the register, you can also choose to receive information from gateshead Council about services and events that may be of interest to parents and carers of children who have a disability and/or learning disability. You will also have the option of sharing your contact details with the Gateshead Parent Carer Forum (opens new window) which organises events for parents and carers.

Register your child

If having read this, you wish to add your child/children to the register please use the link below:

Register your child

We automatically remove your child's details once they reach 18 years of age. If you want the information to be removed earlier than this, or if you want to tell us about a change to the information, please do so by emailing disabledchildrenteam@gateshead.gov.uk. 

If you would like information about services for children and young people who have a disability and/or learning disability you can visit our Gateshead Local Offer website (opens new window). The Local Offer is a source of information about the provision available across education, health and social care for children and young people in Gateshead who have a special educational need or are disabled.

Max Cards

A Max Card is the UK's leading discount card for foster families and families of children with additional needs.

Max Cards give you free and discounted entry to over 1,500 cultural and leisure attractions, many of which are in Gateshead and the North East. Children and young people are eligible for a Max Card up to the age of 25 years.

To apply for a Max Card children must be registered on our Gateshead Children with Disabilities Network.

You will be required to provide evidence of your child's needs. This could be proof of your benefits, their Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), or a letter from their paediatrician, GP, or social worker.  

For further information and details of where the Max Card can be used, please visit the My Max Card website (opens new window).