Specialist Children's Health Services
Specialist Children's Health Services
Page Contents
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Speech and Language Therapy, including Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC)
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NHS Children's Community Therapy Service, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Dietitians
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NHS Autistic Spectrum Disorder Assessment Team (ASDAT), The Wellbeing and Autism Wheel
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NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, CAMHS, including Learning Disability Nursing
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NHS Acute Liaison Nurses for Learning Disabilities and/or Autistic Spectrum
About Specialist Children's Health Services
Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, (CFT)
provide some specialist services by nurses, therapists, paediatricians and community health care workers.
These include:
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Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment Team, ASDAT team
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Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, CAMHS
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Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Service
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Community Nurses
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Youth Offending Services
For full details visit the Cornwall Foundations NHS Trust website: www.cornwallft.nhs.uk/childrens-services
You can access these services via the Early Help Hub.
Further information about the Early Help Hub is available on Cornwall Council website: www.cornwall.gov.uk/earlyhelphub
Early Help Hub
Tel: 01872 322277
Email: EarlyHelpHub@cornwall.gov.uk
For Children and young people living in the Isles of Scilly, these services can be accessed by a referral from a Health Visitor, School nurse, GP or SENCO. The Isles of Scilly Family Health team, the Health Visitor and School Nurse, can also refer to a Community paediatrician.
Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust, (RCHT)
provide acute care and general hospital services as well as some community services. These are split into 4 main headings – caring for babies, caring for children in an emergency or operation, caring for children with long term conditions, caring for children in the community.
For full details visit the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust website: www.royalcornwall.nhs.uk/services/child-health
Referrals to these services are from a professional working with the child, for example GP, health workers, school nurses. Outpatient clinics are held on St. Mary’s around every 3 months - caring for children with long term conditions and caring for children in the community.
Speech and Language Therapy, including Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC)
About
Children's Speech and Language Therapy Service (SALT) supports children and young people aged 0-19 years who have difficulties with communication, or with eating, drinking and swallowing.
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understanding what is said to them
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expressing themselves
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talking clearly (saying speech sounds)
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stammering
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swallowing (eating and drinking)
This can include children/young people with delay in learning to talk, speech sound production difficulties, learning difficulties, cleft palate, stammering, selective mutism, autism, hearing impairment and physical disabilities.
Speech and language therapists (SLTs) are registered allied health professionals. Allied health professional is how we describe trained professionals who aren’t doctors or nurses. SLTs aim to help to develop the skills of parents/carers and other people who support the child in their everyday environments. Sometimes, as part of a child's therapy training will be offered to parents and other people working with the child. Some preschools and schools may already have attended training that will benefit chidlren with speech and language needs. SLTs see children in schools, preschools, clinics and homes.
Referral via the Early Help Hub and for children and young people living in the Isles of Scilly a referral can be made by the School SENCO, the School Nurse, GP or a Health visitor.
Some of this process requires observation from a professional and a Speech and Language Therapist visits the Five Islands School on a regular basis. A decision is then made as to whether the child meets the criteria.
The integrated AAC (Alternative and Augmentative Communication) team is an extension to the local Speech and Language Therapy offer. When a child or young person is able to demonstrate that to communicate their needs and wishes, learn and socialise they need a more advanced system, their local Speech and language therapist will request the involvement of this team.
Contact
Early Help Hub
Tel: 01872 322277 Email: EarlyHelpHub@cornwall.gov.uk
Website: www.cornwall.gov.uk/earlyhelphub
Isles of Scilly Family Health team, Health Visitor and School Nurse Tel: 01720 423722
Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, request for help: www.cornwallft.nhs.uk/request-for-help-information
Further Information
Education
Five Islands Academy
www.fiveislands.scilly.sch.uk/speech-and-language-therapist-1/
Health
Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust website has useful information, resources and links:
www.cornwallft.nhs.uk/childrens-speech-and-language-therapy
NHS Children's Community Therapy Service
The Royal Cornwall Hospitals Children’s Community Therapy service provides an integrated therapy service for children who have Neurodevelopmental, physical, sensory - motor difficulties, developmental delay, under-nutrition or excessive weight gain.
The team is based at Dolphin House Child Development Centre at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro and comprises occupational therapists, physiotherapists and dietitians who deliver therapy in children’s homes, schools and from treatment bases in Truro, Penzance, St Austell and Redruth.
The Service works closely with Acute & Community Paediatricians, other therapists and local authority professionals to provide coordinated care for children with atypical development and disability.
Contact details
Tel: 01872 254514
Email: rch-tr.CommunityPaediatricTeam@nhs.net
Further information
NHS Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust, Caring for Children in the Community, Children’s Community Therapy Service
www.royalcornwall.nhs.uk/services/child-health/caring-children-community/
Occupational Therapy
About
Occupational Therapy is a part of the Children’s Community Therapy Services (CCTS) and Community Paediatrics work in partnership within the department of Community Child Health at the Royal Cornwall Hospital NHS Trust.
Children’s Community Therapy deliver Occupational Therapy, and Physiotherapy treatment, to children and young people who present with, or are being investigated for, neurological, neuro-developmental, neuro-muscular conditions, atypical development and/or disabilities.
Occupational Therapists assess functional and sensory needs and work with parents and carers to enable children to become as independent as possible. This is likely to include a course of activities designed to increase range of movement, coordination and sensory awareness.
Occupational Therapy services may also include, the arrangement of loan equipment, moving and handling advice for children and carers, arrangement of minor and major adaptations.
The Occupational Therapist can arrange to loan the equipment that your child needs at home via the Cornwall Community Equipment Loan Service.
Major adaptations are funded via the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG). For advice on eligibility for Disabled Facilities Grants to adapt a home for someone with a disability please visit the Gov.uk website: www.gov.uk/disabled-facilities-grants/overview
Referrals to Occupational Therapy are made by any health or educational professional who knows the child or young person such as a GP, Health Visitor, School Nurse, SENCO with input from parents. There may also be observations of the child or young person to assess eligibility.
An Occupational Therapist visits the Five Islands Academy on occasion and may work with children and young people, meet parents and provide a goal and/or advice sheet.
Contact
Isles of Scilly Family Health Team, Health Visitor Tel: 07483 351147 and School Nurse Tel: 07827 284105 you can also contact the advice line 01872 322779
St. Mary’s Health Centre Tel: 01720 422628
Further Information
NHS Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust, Caring for Children in the Community, Children’s Community Therapy Service
www.royalcornwall.nhs.uk/services/child-health/caring-children-community/
Five Islands Academy
www.fiveislands.scilly.sch.uk/occupational-therapist-1/
Physiotherapy
About
Paediatric physiotherapy is a part of the Children’s Community Therapy Services (CCTS) and Community Paediatrics work in partnership within the department of Community Child Health at the Royal Cornwall Hospital NHS Trust.
Children’s Community Therapy deliver Occupational Therapy, and Physiotherapy treatment, to children and young people who present with, or are being investigated for, neurological, neuro-developmental, neuro-muscular conditions, atypical development and/or disabilities.
Physiotherapists assess movement abilities and plan individual treatment programmes to encourage development and independence. They also show parents and carers how to carry out exercises and activities so that the child practices them regularly.
Referrals can be made by any health or educational professional who knows the child or young person such as a GP, Health Visitor, School Nurse, SENCO with input from parents. There may also be observations of the child or young person to assess eligibility.
Please also see the Child and Adolescent Mental Health, CAMHS section for children with ASD and co-morbid mental health needs.
Contact
Isles of Scilly Family Health Team, Health Visitor Tel: 07483 351147 and School Nurse Tel: 07827 284105
You can also contact the advice line 01872 322779
St. Mary’s Health Centre Tel: 01720 422628
Further Information
NHS Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust, Caring for Children in the Community, Children’s Community Therapy Service
www.royalcornwall.nhs.uk/services/child-health/caring-children-community/
Dietitians
Dietitians provide dietetic support to disabled children, their families and the professionals who work with them. Their focus is on children diagnosed with a disability who are eating and/or drinking and who are at risk of under-nutrition. The team also provides a service for significantly overweight children aged up to 6 years under the LEAF (Lifestyles, Eating & Activity for Families) Programme.
Contact details
Tel: 01872 254514
Email: rch-tr.CommunityPaediatricTeam@nhs.net
Further information
NHS Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust, Caring for Children in the Community, Children’s Community Therapy Service
www.royalcornwall.nhs.uk/services/child-health/caring-children-community/
Autistic Spectrum Disorder Assessment Team (ASDAT)
About
ASDAT are part of the Neurodevelopmental team which provides multi-disciplinary assessment for children with complex neurodevelopmental conditions and whose needs are more complex. The neurodevelopmental team consist of occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, clinical psychologists, mental health and learning disability nurses, the Early Help Hub and medics. Diagnostic assessments for children with suspected autism are provided up to the age of 18 years and referrals are subject to screening against eligibility criteria.
Children under 5 years 6 months can only be referred for ASD assessment through joint agreement between a Community Paediatrician and the child’s Speech and Language Therapist, with those specific professionals making the referral. If the child is not already known to both these teams then referral should be made to these specialists who will then decide with the family about autism assessment. The Isles of Scilly Family Health Team can offer advice.
Children over 5 years of age will need to be referred by any professional such as a GP, School nurse, SENDCO.
To refer to this service a 3 part Assessment referral form is completed in order:
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Firstly, a professional who knows the child completes Form A of the neurodevelopmental and behaviour referral form and submits to the early help team.
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Professionals can follow the Early Help Hub link and click into the Professionals zone for more information and for a referral form: www.cornwall.gov.uk/earlyhelphub Secondly, the early help team ask for parents to complete Form B of the neurodevelopmental and behaviour referral form. Help can be asked for this. The form is then returned to the early help hub. Parents can follow the early help hub link and click on the parent zone for more information: www.cornwall.gov.uk/earlyhelphub
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Thirdly, school are asked to complete Form C of the neurodevelopmental and behaviour referral form. This form is then returned to the early help hub. Please let them know if your child is home schooled, they may ask someone else such as a group leader to provide information instead.
Once all the referral assessment forms are submitted to the Early Help Hub, they will be screened to see if the child meets the criteria for diagnostic assessment for Autism Spectrum Disorder or Neurodevelopmental needs. If they are screened in for assessment, they will be placed on the waiting list for ASDAT or for the Complex ND assessment.
Please also see the Child and Adolescent Mental Health, CAMHS section for children with ASD and co-morbid mental health needs.
At the Five Islands Academy, students who have a formal diagnosis of autism are supported in school by the SEN team with appropriate support from the Autism Spectrum Team.
Contacts
Early Help Hub
Tel: 01872 322277 Email: EarlyHelpHub@cornwall.gov.uk
Website: www.cornwall.gov.uk/earlyhelphub
Isles of Scilly Family Health team
Health Visitor Telephone: 07483 351147
School Nurse Telephone: 07827 284105
If you are unable to make contact with the Isles of Scilly team alternatively you can contact the service via:
Telephone: 01872 324261
Email: hsvsnadvice@cornwall.gov.uk
For further information:
Cornwall Partnerships ASDAT team www.cornwallft.nhs.uk/autism-spectrum-assessment-team-asdat/
Five Islands Academy Autism Spectrum Team www.fiveislands.scilly.sch.uk/the-autistic-spectrum-team
The Wellbeing and Autism Wheel
The Wellbeing and Autsim Wheel has lots of useful advice and information, please note that you will be directed to services available are in Cornwall, please see the Isles of Scilly Local Offer for local services that are available.
The information held within the wheel is applicable to a wide range of developmental needs, and is not exclusive to autistic spectrum disorder.
NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, CAMHS, including Learning Disability Nursing
Specialist community child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) provide assessment, advice and treatment for children and young people with severe and complex mental health problems. CAMHS also provide support and advice to their families or carers. Access to the specialist team is based on the Child Global Assessment Scale (CGAS). This is a rating of functioning based on a clinician's assessment of a range of aspects related to a child's psychological and social functioning.
A child or young person with a moderate, severe or profound learning disability (LD) can often present with complex behaviours which may, or may not be symptomatic of a mental health condition. These referrals will not automatically access to a mental health assessment within the specialist CAMHS service. They will be given to the specialist LD nursing service, which has a specific role in assessing the young person to establish whether there is a mental health condition. Children and young people with this level of learning disability may develop complex patterns of behaviour which can be distressing. This can include hurting themselves or other people and it can be difficult to keep them safe.
Children and young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder will only be offered a mental health assessment within CAMHS when there are indications of a mental health condition which go beyond the core features of the primary diagnosis of Autism. Please see NHS Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment team, ASDAT.
Referral via the Early Help Hub, for children and young people living in the Isles of Scilly, you can also discuss referral with GP's, social worker, health worker or school SENCO.
Contact
Early Help Hub
Tel: 01872 322277 Email: EarlyHelpHub@cornwall.gov.uk
Website: www.cornwall.gov.uk/earlyhelphub
Further Information
Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CFT)
Website: www.cornwallft.nhs.uk/camhs/
NHS Children and Young people's Eating Disorder Service (CYPEDS)
CYPEDS is a specialist service offering community based treatment for people under the age of 18 with a suspected or diagnosed eating disorder. We are commissioned to treat individuals with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED).
The service covers the whole of Cornwall and the Isles Of Scilly and is run by 4 separate providers. The therapy part of our team (Cornwall Foundation Trust) includes family therapists, systemic practitioners, a psychiatrist, a psychologist, occupational therapists, a specialist nurse practitioner, dietitians and an administrator. The physical monitoring part of our team (Kernow Health) includes physical health nurses and health care assistants. The paediatric part of our team (Royal Cornwall Hospital Trusts and Derriford Hospital) includes paediatricians and a paediatric specialist nurse. All four segments of the service work closely together to ensure that children and young people within CYPEDS receive the most appropriate care for their eating disorder.
How do I make a referral to the service?
The best way to make a referral to our service is to visit your GP in the first instance.
Further Information
Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CFT)
Website: www.cornwallft.nhs.uk/children-and-young-people-eating-disorder-service/
NHS Community Paediatrics
The Community Child Health team works with children and young people in Cornwall who have a significant developmental disability or vulnerability.
The medical team works extremely closely with other health professionals, such as therapists, as well as professionals in education and social care. Together they work to make sure these children have the support, care and treatment necessary to reach their full potential. The Neurodevelopmental pathway provides assessment, diagnosis and ongoing coordination of care, alongside professional colleagues in education and social care.
The service is personalised for each child. Most children will be seen and reviewed within the team, receive advice on available options and support and then discharged from the service. Others will enter an assessment pathway or a long-term care pathway. The doctors hold a number of specialist roles, including the Designated Medical Officer for Special Educational Needs, who supports the Education, Health and Care plan process.
Contact
Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
Tel: 01872 254514
Email: rch-tr.CommunityPaediatricTeam@nhs.net
Further Information
www.royalcornwall.nhs.uk/services/child-health
NHS Bladder and Bowel Service
The Bladder and Bowel Specialist Service provides professional advice, guidance and information on the management of bladder and bowel continence.
The Bladder and Bowel Specialist Service also provides treatment of faecal and urinary incontinence including enuresis and related bladder and bowel problems in children and adults.
The Isles of Scilly Family Health team, the Health visitor and School nurse, can offer you support and refer you to the service. A clinic is held on St. Mary’s around every 3 months for children with continence issues.
Contact
Isles of Scilly Family Health team
Health Visitor Telephone: 07483 351147
School Nurse Telephone: 07827 284105
If you are unable to make contact with the Isles of Scilly team alternatively you can contact the service via:
Telephone: 01872 324261
Email: hsvsnadvice@cornwall.gov.uk
Further Information
ERIC, the children’s bowel and bladder charity has an online information resources and also offer telephone support.
www.eric.org.uk
Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CFT)
www.cornwallft.nhs.uk/bladder-and-bowel-service
Wheelchair Services and Community Equipment
The Cornwall wheelchair service is available to those registered with a Cornwall GP and the Isles of Scilly. For children with specialist wheelchair needs and adults who require standard or specialist wheelchairs.
Major home adaptations are funded via the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) website: www.gov.uk/disabled-facilities-grants
A Beach Wheelchair is available in partnership with Mobility Cornwall, there is an all-terrain wheelchair also known as a sand chair for the Isles of Scilly that can be hired out as well as other outlets throughout Cornwall. To find out more you can visit Cornwall mobility website: www.cornwallmobility.co.uk or a location map is available on the Disability Grants website: www.disability-grants.org/beach-wheelchairs-in-cornwall
Contact
Telephone: 01209 318122
Further Information
Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CFT), Wheelchair Services
www.cornwallft.nhs.uk/wheelchair-service
Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG)
www.gov.uk/disabled-facilities-grants
My AFK
Supports disabled children and young people to live independent and fulfilling lives and provide specialist mobility equipment not available on the NHS to disabled children and young people up to their 25th birthday, across the UK.
www.my-afk.org
NHS Sleep Wise Service
Hunrosa is commissioned by the NHS to provide limited individual sleep assessments to children with complex health needs who are already under the care of a Community Paediatrician at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust.
Hunrosa’s Sleep Wise service periodically deliver specialist workshop-based training to professionals and parents on the Isles of Scilly to help them to recognise the causes of sleep disturbance and develop ways to address them.
You can access this service by either attending one of their workshops OR for one to one support via a referral from a Community Paediatrician only.
Sleep Wise is managed by Hunrosa, who also provide sleep support and advice for ages 2-over 60 years.
Contact details
Tel: 01579 346070/07401 149973 Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm
Email: info@hunrosa.co.uk
Further information
www.hunrosa.co.uk
A series of 17 Sleep takeaway advice cards can be downloaded from the Hunrosa website. For children and young people and their families, including those children with additional needs and up to the age of 25 years. These have been developed by Hunrosa sleep consultancy working within the NHS. These commissioned cards use evidence based sleep information and advice.
www.hunrosa.co.uk/resources/
NHS Children's Continuing Care and Personal Health Budgets
About
Some children and young people (up to age 18), may have very complex health needs. Children's Continuing Care is an additional package of care to support parents or carers to meet their child's health needs as they cannot be met by existing services alone, universal and specialist health services. Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Health Board will first assess a person who has been referred to them and decide if a full assessment is to be completed an assessment. A professional working with the child or young person will make the referral. A final decision to award a package of care will be made by a Panel and is subject to regular review.
Further details about Children's continuing Care can be found on the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Health Board website:
www.cios.icb.nhs.uk/health/continuing-healthcare/childrens-continuing-care/ and the dedicated NHS webpage:
www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/money-work-and-benefits/nhs-continuing-healthcare/
and GOV.UK website: www.gov.uk/government/publications/children-and-young-peoples-continuing-care-national-framework
For young people over the age of 18 there is a similar process called NHS Continuing Health Care. This is different in that if a young person meets the criteria then all of their care needs (health and social care) are paid for by the NHS. Further details can be found on the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Health Board website:
www.cios.icb.nhs.uk/health/continuing-healthcare/
Some people may be eligible for a Personal Health Budget - you can find out more about Personal Health Budgets on the dedicated national website: www.personalhealthbudgets.england.nhs.uk
Information about Personal budgets and Personal Health budgets can be found on the NHS England website:
www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/money-work-and-benefits/personal-budgets
www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/what-is-a-personal-health-budget
Education Health and Care plans
An Education Health and Care plan takes into account the child or young person’s special educational need together with any health or social care need that they may have, also known as EHC plan.
An EHC plan is integrated support for children and young people with complex special educational needs and physical disabilities.
For more information about Education Health and Care Plans (EHC Plans), please see our section on EHC Plans
Further information
Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Integrated Health Board
www.cios.icb.nhs.uk
NHS Children’s Community Nursing
About
Community children's nurses will support your child at home or another setting in the local community. The team can provide direct nursing care and support to those with acute, long term and complex care for example the team can provide nursing support to those with acute, long term and complex care for example the team can provide nursing support for children who are dependent on 'technology' e.g. are tube fed or have a tracheostomy and also palliative and end of life care in conjunction with other organisations. Their aim is to prevent or reduce the amount of time your child needs to spend in hospital. They will work with you and the other health staff and organisations which support your child's health and wellbeing.
Further Information
Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundations Trust
www.cornwallft.nhs.uk/children-community-nursing
Children’s Palliative Care
About
Palliative care and End of Life care, find below a list of links with information that you may find useful.
Further Information
Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust
www.royalcornwall.nhs.uk/services/palliative-and-end-of-life-care
Children’s Hospice South West
www.chsw.org.uk/
Penhaligon’s Friends
www.penhaligonsfriends.org.uk
NHS
www.nhs.uk/conditions/end-of-life-care
NHS Acute Liaison Nurses for Learning Disabilities and Autism
At Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust there are dedicated nurses to support patients with learning disabilities and autism spectrum conditions, they support patients to be prepared before they come to hospital and during their stay, helping individuals with a learning disability in hospital get high quality services, choice and control over their care.
The Team are based at Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro and also available St. Michael's Hospital in Hayle and West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance with prior arrangement
Hospital passports are available for you to download and complete before a hospital stay and Going to Hospital is an accessible publication for patients with learning disability or autism and aims to help children & young people with additional needs to know what they might expect to see when visiting hospital for an appointment or when being admitted for a procedure. These can be downloaded on the RCHT website, Learning Disabilities and Autism, Acute liaison section: royalcornwallhospitals.nhs.uk/your-care/safeguarding
Contact details
Tel: 01872 255741 or 07765 221848 (8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. 9am to 4pm, Saturday and Sunday)
Email: rch-tr.LearningDisabilities@nhs.net
The Special Parenting Service
The Special Parenting Service supports parents who have a mild to borderline learning disability. This means an IQ of 55 – 85.
The Special Parenting service are a range of professionals available to work with families to improve a parent’s skills. They will assess, teach and offer guidance. Their role is to help parents understand the needs of their children and in particular how to:
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keep children safe
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set routines for their baby or child
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access further support and help
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manage their child’s behaviour