A PIONEERING partnership scheme to improve the lives of disabled children across Dorset will be launched in Wimborne on September 21.

Dorset County Council has teamed up with Bournemouth and Poole borough councils, plus 28 local voluntary organisations, to form United Impact - an innovative umbrella organisation aimed at strengthening and developing services for almost 2,500 youngsters with severe disabilities.

The launch will take place at the Allendale Centre between 9.30am and 12.30pm and will involve an informal drop-in session with a host of information stalls and displays about the organisations involved.

Parents and carers of disabled children are particularly welcome.

The initiative comes in the wake of a multi-agency review carried out by local councils and health agencies which identified areas where families most wanted to see improvements.

Over the next two years, £200,000 will be spent on helping disabled children under the age of four in East Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole, based on a co-ordinated approach.

The money will be used to increase the number of hours available though the home visitor service and the portage service for children with severe communications needs.

Families will also be provided with a single key worker and single family plan, while a new early support worker will be based in the voluntary sector, providing further practical advice and support.

Steve Pitt, director of social services for Dorset County Council, said: "We have listened to the views of parents and young disabled people, and in response are working with our partner agencies to improve services for disabled children.

"United Impact will help us use in expertise and flexibility of the voluntary sector in providing services."

First published: Sept 20