Tag Archives: family
Digitally excluded: The 90,000 Norfolk households not going online
Older people can lack the confidence to go online, according to Norfolk County Council research.
More than 90,000 homes in Norfolk have no or very limited access to the internet, either because of lack of connections, not being able to afford it or not having the confidence to use it.
Research has shown that almost a quarter of the county’s homes are defined as “digitally excluded”.
A similar study in London showed just 15pc of households there were unable or unlikely to use the internet.
The Norfolk County Council research showed homes where people were unlikely, or unable, to use the internet included “significant” numbers of older people, families on low incomes and those living in social housing.
‘I book home care for my mum online’
Louisa and her mum, Peggy, book home care using an online service
Louisa Bravery’s mum, Peggy, lives in the family home and loves everyday life with her grandchildren.
But she needs a little personal care when other members of the family are out at school or work.
Louisa wasn’t sure where to turn to organise things but discovered she could book her mother’s care using an online service.
That makes it easy to plan care flexibly depending on when Peggy might be alone at home.
“I just log in via the internet using my phone and just select the number of hours and the day and the time I want the carer to come. It’s really quick and also the payment’s all done online,” Louisa says.
The service is provided by CERA, the brainchild of Dr Ben Maruthappu, who formerly had a senior policymaking role at NHS England.
Government announces £4m funding for special educational needs in Norfolk and Suffolk
The government has announced it will give £2.7m to Norfolk County Council and £1.3m to Suffolk County Council to improve special educational needs and disability (SEND) facilities.
Facilities for some of the most vulnerable children in Norfolk and Suffolk could be bolstered by a £4m investment in special needs education.
The government will, over three years, give Norfolk County Council £2.7m and Suffolk County Council £1.3m to increase school capacity and improve provision for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
It comes as part of a nationwide investment, worth £215m, to local councils, which can be spent on infrastructure and facilities.
Though councils will be free to invest the funding as they wish, they will be expected to consult with parents, carers and schools and put together a plan on how the money will be spent.
