A SCHEME which aims to give disabled toddlers the best start in life came under the spotlight at its launch yesterday.

Professionals from health, social services and education joined parents and carers to see how Middlesbrough's Early Support programme for disabled children, under the age of three, can provide the best support.

A Middlesbrough Council spokesman said the project aims to ensure that all families with disabled children receive a standard of care and support that is both excellent and well co-ordinated.

Early Support is part of a ten-year child care strategy. At its launch at Middlesbrough's Teaching and Learning Centre, parents were asked to share their experience of various support schemes they have tried - what they felt was successful, what wasn't and what effect the Early Support programme could make to their lives.

The project complements other Government initiatives to help children with special educational needs.