1 TRANSFORMING CHILDRENS LIVES

2 What Is Whizz-Kidz? Whizz-Kidz is National Childrens Charity providing customised mobility equipment, wheelchair training, advice and guidance. We have a nationwide team of mobility therapists and two mobility centres in Newcastle and Birmingham. We are an enabling charity committed to helping our beneficiaries fulfill their potential. Since its inception in 1990 Whizz-Kidz has helped over 4,500 children. In 2005 we helped 750 children between the ages of There are an estimated 70,000 children in the UK who still need our help.

3 Why We Exist Disabled children are often denied the basic right to independent mobility equipment NHS wheelchair provision is inadequate for children. There is a massive unmet need for powered mobility. Independence is vital to a childs development 70,000 children need our help We know a powered wheelchair will give David a whole new life. Im so glad we found Whizz-Kidz, it is the most amazing organisation and will utterly transform all our lives. Davids mum

4 The Key Issues Postcode lottery Applying eligibility criteria to manage budgets Wheelchair Services are aimed at adults and do not fully meet the needs of young people Lack of early intervention Under 10s are rarely provided for in terms of powered mobility Lack of joined up funding Not looking at a holistic approach to a childs life journey Limited vision of seeing provision of mobility as an end in itself rather than the means to an end No co-ordinated commissioning across the UK Lack of child centred services

5 What Needs to Change Commissioning to include child specialist services and removal of postcode lottery. Pooling of budgets between statutory and voluntary services to best serve the needs of disabled children. Development of a holistic approach to a childs life journey. To ensure that the forthcoming comprehensive spending review looks specifically at funding for mobility for children. Common eligibility criteria across all Wheelchair Services.

6 Thank You Whizz-Kidz goal is to ensure that appropriate mobility equipment is available for all disabled children in the UK