The children’s disability team is a specialist team of social workers,supporting families with children aged 0 - 18 who have a severe, profound or complex disability that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on them, this includes children and young people with severe learning and/or physical disabilities, Autism Spectrum Condition, complex health issues, and severe hearing, vision and communication difficulties.
The team undertake child and family assessments to inform a personalised support plan drawn up to address the child and family’s needs, which often provides the provision of specialist short breaks (respite) support.
A child and their family are entitled to an assessment of their needs under section 17 of the Childrens Act 1989. This assessment also highlights the needs of carers. Our team completes the assessment using the National Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families (DH 2000).
The children’s disability team, will provide support for the following reasons;
- Completion of child and family assessments
- Where a higher level of support is required, such as the provision of a high care package or complexities requiring more regular multi-agency meetings.
- Where a child is ‘looked after’ by the local authority.
- Where there are safeguarding issues, including where a child is subject to a child protection plan
Referral routes
Referrals can be made in these ways
Bromley Children and Families Hub (C&F Hub) reporting child abuse is the single point of contact for the various child protection and safeguarding services within Bromley, in partnership with the council, the police, and probation and health services. Its main aim is to ensure different organisations work together to deliver effective and focused services to young people and their families in the borough.
Short breaks online assessment
Our assessment tool used to streamline access to short breaks, without the need to undergo a full social work assessment.
Applications made in this way are reviewed and assessed by our social workers and/or social work assistants.
Common Assessment Framework (CAF)
This is a tool to support early intervention, this means when used effectively it ensures families receive the right support at an early stage before a small need grows into a larger one.
If following a CAF, more specialist support is required, please consider one of the two referral routes.
Further information
For more information, please contact us.
Should you wish to make a comment or raise a complaint about a Bromley service please visit our complaints pages.