The number of new referrals to the Menphys Special Outreach Service (SOS), has risen by 27 per cent in the last year.

The Leicestershire disability charity offers support to families of disabled children and young people up to the age of 19 through home visits, offering advice and information on resources and child care.

It offers free training courses on inclusion and disability awareness and works towards promoting and providing choice and opportunity.

Its annual report notes that it was asked to host a Children First and Foremost conference which was attended by 75 childminders.

Manager Lyn Bloor reports that many of them have registered with Menphys SOS and are caring for children with disabilities.

The charity's most striking geographic area of growth is in Charnwood, where new referrals rose from two in 2000/2001 to 38 in 2001/2002.

For details of the charity's services, contact Lyn Bloor on 01455 8894875.