We offer a service for pre-school children with a developmental delay and children and young people with a learning disability and/or physical disability, some of whom may have additional complex health needs and their families.

We offer highly specialist assessments, information, advice and support by working with children and their families in a variety of settings including home, school, college and the community to meet specific psychological, social and emotional needs.

We work with children and young people with difficulties in the following areas:

• Extremely challenging behaviour
   
• Self-injurious behaviour
   
• low mood and depression
   
• Autistic Spectrum Disorders
   
• Eating and diet
   
• Continence
   
• Self-care
   
• Socialisation
   
• Everyday living skills
   
• Fears and phobias
   
• Obsessions and anxiety
   
• Anger management
   
• Sleep
   
• Bereavement, loss or change
   
• Family issues
   
• Independence skills requiring specialist assessment and interventions

Who can use our service?

Children aged 0-18 years with transitional work into adult services commencing at 17.5 years.

This service is for children living in North Staffordshire and Stoke.

Who will we see?

A clinician from the service.

Are there any costs?

No

How do I refer?

Referrals can be accepted from a wide range of sources from self or parent and carer to GP.

The team receives referrals from a central front door Hub, based at The Bennett Centre, Shelton.

All referrals are screened before being screened by a member of our team during an initial appointment.

The team do not accept referrals:

• without a diagnosis of a moderate to profound learning disability
• where the need is primarily school based - this would be picked up within the schools multi-disciplinary team.

The team do not provide:

• a crisis service
• provide a service to those children placed in out of area placements

If there are mainstream services with specialist skills for specific diagnosis the team will signpost to the most appropriate team for advice and support.  

If a child has mild learning difficulties, they may be seen by a mainstream CAMHS clinician with tailored support around these difficulties. The team are happy to provide support and advice where necessary.

What happens when I come to the service?

Dependant on requirements, you may be offered behavioural issues group work, individual work, sleep hygiene clinics, continence clinics, occupational therapy.

What happens when I become an adult?

If you are still working with the team, you will be transitioned to adult learning disabilities service.