What is the paediatric disability Service? A team of consultants and trainees with expertise in paediatric disability.

What does 'disability' mean? The service uses the definition from the World Health Organisation's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (usually known as the ICF).

This brings together the 'medical model' of disability, which considers health conditions, body structure and function, with the 'social model' of disability, which considers factors in the environment that can be disabling, such as physical factors and peoples' attitudes.  Disability is thus something that can affect anyone at any time and can vary over time.  Using this definition of disability includes all children and young people with special educational needs as well.  Click here for more detailed information.

Who can refer to the paediatric disability service? Any professional who has a concern about a child or young person's development, learning or where a disability is suspected.  Parents can seek referral via their GP, Health Visitor or any other professional involved in their care.

If Nursery or School are making a referral, it is better for this to be via the GP if possible, in order to optimise communication and reduce the risk of duplication.

Who should be referred to the service? Any child or young person where there is concern about development, learning or where disability is suspected.  Click here for more detailed information.

Why should a child or young person be referred to the service? If there are concerns that a child or young person may have a disability or is following a different developmental journey to other children their age, it can be important to identify any health conditions or diagnoses that can be made.

This is so that an explanation can be given for the child, young person and their family as to why they are different, how this might affect them now and in the future.

We know that in the absence of other explanations about why a child is different, parents, especially mothers, tend to blame themselves, thinking it was something they did or didn't do when they were pregnant or in parenting that has made their child as they are.  Click here for more detailed information.

What should referral to the service include? Please include a completed background information sheet.  These are designed to be completed by the family.  If need be, the Health Visitor or the person making the referral can offer support with this.  Having all of this information means that the consultation is much more efficient and effective: the family have more idea about why they are attending and hopefully have the chance to share all of their concerns.

The background information sheets can be downloaded below:

• Background information sheet for pre-school children

• Background information sheet for school-age children and young people

For children in nursery or school, it is also very helpful for a report from nursery or school to be included with the referral.

For those referred because medical advice is needed for education, it is essential for a full report from education to be sent in with the referral, including any educational psychology reports.

Further useful information about the service can be found in document attached. (Link on page)