The Children with Disability Team

Our Children with Disabilities Team (CWD) supports children and young people who are under 18 and have complex disabilities and their parents/carers to maintain a family life in their home and community.

The social workers in the team work in partnership with families to complete an assessment of need, including the impact the disability has on the child/young person and their family.

The assessment will be completed with the child/young person and their family and identify what services a family need to support them. Sometimes those services can be provided by other agencies in the community. If there is a need for support from the CWD Team, the social worker will write a plan with parents/carers and children and young people and other agencies that will include what the family want to achieve, what do we need to do to achieve this and who will support them along the way.

When young people turn 15 and ¾ years old, a meeting will be held with Adult Services, Children’s Services, Health and Education to consider what needs the young person might have moving into adulthood and beyond. This is called a transition meeting. It makes sure that young people move as smoothly from services for children to services for adults without any disruption.

What support may be available?

• Occupational therapy

The CWD Team (as well as other professionals) can refer to the Community Occupational Therapy Service (COTS). This service aims to maximise independence and to reduce the effects of disability. The occupational therapists undertake specialised assessments for children and their carers and may recommend minor aids or adaptations to a child's home, they may advise on alternative techniques to help a child develop, or restore and maintain functional skills. They also carry out moving and handling and risk assessments to highlight the need for specialised equipment and provide training and advice.

Carer’s Assessments

Parents and carers are eligible for an assessment of their own needs. This assessment will enable a social worker to better understand the level of care that  a parent or carer provides.

Short break services

Short breaks enable parents and carers to have time for themselves, to spend time with siblings or other people they care for or opportunities that may be open to them. This can be a few hours during the day, evening or sometimes overnight. During this time the child has an enjoyable and stimulating time.

Services include:

• Nursery provision
• Childminding
• Sessional support through our leisure link service
• Direct payments
• Disability sport
• Bridging the Gap service for the over 10s
• Barnardo’s Young Carers
• Sitting Service
• Access to independent advocacy