Children's Disability Service
The Children’s Disability Service (CDS) is a team of social workers who work exclusively to support children with disabilities or complex needs and their families. We work with children and young people up to the age of 18 where their disability is the presenting concern and they are in need of specialist services, there is risk of family breakdown, or there are child protection safeguarding concerns.
The team will provide services to children and young people whose needs cannot be met by universal, early help or targeted support, for example:
- Children who are deaf or hearing impaired
- Children who are visually impaired
- Children diagnosed with autism
- Children who have moderate to severe learning disabilities
- Children with complex health needs and disabilities, and lifelong conditions
- Children who have a ‘treatment order’ through section 3 of the Mental Health Act (who need to be detained in a hospital setting for their own health, safety or the safety of others)
In line with the main social work teams, the service supports children and their families as they move between different levels of need, such as child in need, child protection, those in care proceedings, and looked after children and young people. We work closely with health professionals when children have complex health and care needs. We also work closely with other services in children’s social care to provide a package of support.
The Children’s Disability Service will also complete the assessment to determine if a child has the appropriate level of need requiring an overnight short break.
The Children’s Disability Service usually does not support children who only have a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, in some situations, professionals may decide that support is still needed, depending on individual circumstances.
How to make a referral
The majority of children with disabilities will have their needs met by universal or targeted services available through the children and young people with disabilities pathway (or graduated response).
When specialised support is needed or there are safeguarding concerns, the referral route is through the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (known as MASH). Give them a call on 0300 500 80 80 (or 0300 500 80 90 if you are a practitioner worried about a child you are working with). You can also visit their page on our website.
If the referral is passed to the Children’s Disability Service, a social worker will get in touch to ask some more questions about the child’s development, support and care needs and the wider family and community. This is called an assessment. We do not complete a separate carer’s assessment, as caring responsibilities are in line with what is expected of a parent and are included in the holistic child and family assessment.
When our support ends
The pathway to provision is fluid, therefore children with disabilities will move across the continuum as their needs and the needs of their families change. This means that when social work intervention is no longer needed, children who receive a short break may be offered support from the short breaks assessment and review service.
As children known to the service reach the key transition stage, we will link in with the Preparing for Adulthood Team where they are eligible for continued support. You can read the guide on our website.
Linked services
Many of our services work closely together to support children with disabilities and complex needs:
- Short breaks assessment and review team (SBAR)
- Statutory SEND (special educational needs and disabilities), previously known as ‘ICDS’. Read our one minute guide to the SEND local offer.
- Occupational therapy (OT)
- Education, Health and Care Planning (EHCP) teams
- Specialist Support Team (SST)
- Short break providers such as The Big House and Caudwell House
