What is the Buzz Network?
The Buzz Network is a group for Southampton parents/carers of children with disabilities/special needs. It is open to children with any disability from ADHD to visual impairments, as long as they meet the eligibility criteria.
It is funded by Southampton City Council who work closely with the A-buzz parent carer forum to make sure it is meeting parents' needs.
Once parents have joined they have access to 4 main services:
Who can join?
Any parent/carer of a disabled child aged 0-19 living within Southampton City Council boundaries whose child meets the eligibility criteria shown below.
You are automatically eligible if you are able to tick one or more of the following categories for your child:
in receipt of higher level Disability Living Allowance
has a statement of special educational needs
receiving a service from Jigsaw
receiving a service from Complex Children's Health Team
receiving a service from Community Children's Nursing Team
receiving a service from Occupational Therapy
receiving a service from Physiotherapy
receiving a service from Portage
receiving a service from Wordsworth House
Or if you are able to tick any two of the following for your child:
on School Action Plus
normal activities are interrupted by frequent health needs, affecting progress in development or education
requires frequent use of specialist equipment including wheelchair/buggy and/or help from carer to get around
requires regular support with basic self care functions e.g. eating, going to the toilet, washing, dressing and/or needs more regular supervision through the day and sometimes at night than you would expect for a child of their age
doesn't hear spoken words and/or needs help to make up for complete loss of sound awareness and may have hearing aids or implants
needs special support and understanding from someone else to communicate
has very little or no sight and/or registered blind or needs support to move around
What have parents said about our service?
"This service has given my child the possibility to do things like normal children."
"The Buzz Network has been a breath of fresh air and provided breaks for those parents who have never had them before."
"It is useful to have information about services/events/activities available from one source."
How can you join?
Contact the Buzz Network Coordinator, Katherine on 0800 169 8833 or 023 8083 2069. You can also request an enrolment form by emailing cypis@southampton.gov.uk or downloading it from this page.
Southampton City Council
