Services for children with disabilities
All children with a disability are entitled to an assessment to look at how services can support them. In Bolton, dependant on the level of need this can be provided via an Early Help Assessment completed by a lead professional, or a Child and Family Assessment completed by a Social Worker from the Children with Disabilities Team.
The Children with Disabilities Team work with children who have severe or substantial disabilities, specifically
- A severe or profound learning disability
- A severe physical disability
- A complex Autistic Spectrum Condition with severe learning disability
- A complex medical health condition
What Are Short Breaks?
Short Breaks provide disabled children with the opportunity to have enjoyable experiences away from their parents and carers. Short Breaks can also contribute to a number of positive outcomes for children including making friends, enjoying new opportunities and promoting independence.
Short Breaks give the parents and carers of disabled children the opportunity to have a break from their caring responsibilities. The SEND Local Offer provides information about a range of advice, information and support services including activities for disabled children that can be accessed without assessment.
If your child has a severe and substantial disability and the SEND Local Offer is not able to meet your child’s needs, they may be eligible for Targeted Help to provide a short break. An online referral form should be completed by your lead professional and sent through to the Integrated Front Door. A social worker from the Children with Disabilities Team will offer further advice and guidance and, where appropriate, complete a short break assessment (Resource Allocation System or RAS) to determine how Short Breaks could support you and your family and how they will be provided.
Statutory help for Children with Disabilities
Child and Family assessments will be undertaken by the Children with Disabilities Team for disabled children (as defined above) where the impact of a child’s disability is likely to prevent them from being safe or from achieving their potential. We also work with children who require complex multi-agency care arrangements and those disabled children who may need to be Looked After away from home as part of their care or who are at risk of needing to become Looked After due to the impact of their disability.
Professionals wishing to make a referral to the Children with Disabilities Team please complete the online referral form via the Integrated Front Door.
If you wish to speak to speak to a member of the Children with Disabilities Team for advice please call 01204 331500 and select option 4