Services for children with disabilities
Together for Children provides a range of help to disabled children and young people, and their families and carers, in Sunderland.
Any child or young person with additional needs is etitled to an assessment of need as set out in the Children Act 1989. The carers needs will also be considered as part of this assessment. We are committed to completing these assessments when a request to do so is received, and the child or young person's level of need will determine which team is responsible for completing this assessment.
Our Children with Disabilities team understake assessments with the purpose of meeting the needs of children and young people who have a permanent or severe disability. The team provide a specialist service targeted at children and young people aged 0 to 17 yeras and 11 months, who have:
- A severe, long-term physical or sensory impairment
- A severe learning disability
- A life-limiting or life-threatening medical condition
- A diagnosis of autism and associated severe learning disablity
The support that can be offered could include:
- Supporting children and young people to engage in appropraite activities that enable their families to have a break from their caring role
- Providing beahvioural support to parents adn carers of children who have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or a learning disability
- Providing overnight short breaks
- Personal assistants, funded via direct payments, promoting socail opportunities and developing independence
- Access to commissioned youth provisions
- Support with transition to adult services
- Ensuring they are are safeguarded
The services are indentede to support families and use their strengths to enable children and young people to fulfil their potential.
The Assessment team will undertake asessments with the purpose of meeting the needs of children and young people who have the following diagnosis:
- ADHD (unless also diagnosed with one of the disablities or conditions listed above)
- Mild learning disability or learning difficulties
- Educational or behavioural difficulties
The support hat can be offered will be assessed and in line with the Local Offer.
Referrals for assessment need to be made via the Integrated Contact and Referral Team on 0191 520 5560.
