17th September 2013

• Over the past few months, several parents have contacted us to express concerns about long waits of up to six months to access the Special Needs Inclusion Playcare Service (SNIPS). SNIPS provides training, mentoring support and grants to help mainstream providers include children and young people with additional needs.

  We contacted SNIPS manager Amanda Hill, who confirmed that waiting times had gone up due to staff depletion. However, the service has now recruited five new mentors and expects waiting times to disappear shortly. Families who feel they are in urgent need should contact SNIPS on 0114 273 4017 or email CYPDsnips@sheffield.gov.uk.