Many services are accessible to everyone but some levels of service are intended to support children and young people with specific conditions or who have a level of need that cannot be met through universal services alone. A referral for assessment would normally be needed at this level which could be from a GP, health visitor, school, a social worker or another professional.
Annual health checks
Annual health checks are for young people aged 14 or over with a learning disability. These checks helping young people to stay well by allowing them to regularly talk about their health and wellbeing and to detect any problems early on.
Audiology (hearing)
This audiology service offers hearing assessment for babies, children and young people (up to 19 years of age if still in school) who may be at risk of having a hearing loss or who have failed a hearing test.
The aim is to identify severe hearing loss at the earliest possible age so that your child can get a hearing aid, referral to speech and language therapy or to teachers for the hearing impaired, if necessary and/or if required, offer an early appointment with an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist through a joint clinic for anyone who might benefit from surgery.
Bladder and bowel services 0 – 18yrs
The Bromley community paediatrician service can offer advice to families, children and young people 0 -18 years about bladder, bowel and continence issues.
Bladder and bowel services adults 18+
If you are an adult suffering with or have a concern about continence you can contact this free, confidential service for advice, assessment and treatment. Clinics for adults are provided throughout the borough bladder and bowel service adults 18+
Community paediatrics
Community paediatrics provide medical care for children with disabilities and special needs for example developmental difficulties, autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and genetic disorders. This includes reviews of children who are on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and sleep medications.
The service provides support for the assessment of children with special educational needs. It also sees children with emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD), assessing if there is an underlying neurodevelopmental problem.
We work closely with other agencies such as Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), schools, Bromley well-being service and Bromley Children’s Project to manage these. The service also offers medical assessment and ongoing support for children with chronic constipation, soiling, and complex enuresis (day and night time wetting). The service also provides safeguarding services and services for adoption work and looked after children (LAC).
Dental support (special care dental)
Many children and young people with a disability, learning needs or medical conditions are likely to have additional problems with their teeth. This community service provides a range of dental care options for both children and adults.
Children’s dietetic service
Children’s dietitians work with parents and carers of babies and children who are tube fed. The service offers dietary advice and support to parents and carers of babies and children with a range of clinical conditions, including food allergies and intolerances, faltering growth, feeding problems, fussy eating and weight management.
If you are concerned about your child’s eating you should discuss your concerns with your child’s GP or Health visitor.
Visit the Bromley Healthcare website for advice sheets, more information and resources for children and adults
Health visiting
SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) specialist, Bromley health visiting team. Working within the health visiting team supporting parents and carers with children and young people (CYP) and their families with SEND. Supporting children and families to implement strategies to promote development while they are awaiting assessment.
Working closely with health, education, and voluntary services across the borough, this role aims to provide a holistic approach in communicating and sharing advice, information, and plans to all relevant services/organisations, children and young people and their families.
Learning disabilities health support (18+)
The Bromley Community Learning Disability Team (CLDT) provides specialist community health services to local people over the age of 18 with learning disabilities.
Occupational therapy (children)
Children’s occupational therapy offers child-focused assessment and practical advice and therapy to children and young people who experience difficulties with their daily occupations due to a physical and/or learning disability. The service will work with you and your child to identify ways for your child to be able to participate in the daily activities they need to do.
The service also provides home occupational therapy equipment for children under continuing health care funding and to facilitate hospital discharges (e.g. specialist seating, hoists). All other specialist home occupational therapy equipment to support daily activities is provided by the London Borough of Bromley.
Visit the Bromley Healthcare website for advice sheets, more information and resources.
Occupational therapy service - specialist equipment at home 0 - 18 yrs
The Bromley children’s disability service occupational therapy team provides specialist assessment and support in helping you to consider the things you might need to remain independent at home, to manage your everyday living needs or to make caring easier for you or your family at home, equipment and major adaptations for children’s disability needs.
Physiotherapy (children’s)
Children’s physiotherapy offers assessments, advice and therapy for children and young people (0-19 years) with physical difficulties or disabilities that affect their posture and movements. Examples of when physiotherapy may be needed include delay in development, mobility problems, neuromuscular disorders, neurological conditions, balance and co-ordination difficulties, joint and muscle pain/problems.
Therapy may include activity and exercise programmes, individual or group sessions, aquatic therapy.
Referrals to this service are through your doctor (GP), health visitor, paediatrician or teacher, and other health care professionals who might be seeing your child. The service also accepts self-referrals from parents.
Visit the Bromley Healthcare website for advice sheets, more information and resources.
Speech and language delay
Speech and language therapy helps children and young people (0-19 years) with their understanding and talking. The service works with children, families, carers and staff in pre-schools and schools, to help children’s communication skills. The service provides practical advice and support through training for families, teachers and staff.
The service also provides support for children and young people with eating and drinking (swallowing) difficulties (dysphagia).
Referrals to this service are through your doctor (GP), health visitor, paediatrician or teacher, and other health care professionals who might be seeing your child. The service also accepts self-referrals from parents.
Visit the Bromley Healthcare website for advice sheets, more information and resources.
Sleeping difficulties
Sleep disturbance can have a negative effect on the whole family. If your child or young person is having trouble sleeping, more information about sleeping difficulties
Vision impairment
Information about the pathway to receiving support and specialist services available for children who have visual impairment.
The vision impairment service supports adults and children with a long-term disability (more than six months) or the terminally ill. You must be registered with a Bromley GP.
Need more help?
The information, advice and support service (IASS) provides confidential and impartial advice and information to support parents or carers and children and young people who have, or may have, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) aged 0 - 25.