Disabled Children and Young People's Service (0-25)

Brent's Disabled Children and Young People’s Service supports families with children aged 0-25 who have severe disabilities or complex health problems.

The service has a dedicated team of social workers, social work assistants and occupational therapists.

If your child is eligible, the team will assess their needs and develop a package of support with input from you, your child and other professionals.

This support provided could involve:

• targeted services - these are aimed at children and young people who have needs that require more support than universal services can provide. They include portage, specialist educational support and sports provision
• specialist services - for children and young people with high levels of need. This could include short breaks, specialist community nursing and care at home.

If your child is not eligible to receive targeted or specialist services, we will help them to access universal services.

The team also leads on ‘transition planning’, preparing young people with SEND for adulthood. Find out more about the support available for preparing for adulthood. 

To access this service a child or young person must:

• live in Brent
• be aged between 0 to 25
• have a physical or mental impairment which is permanent and substantial, and which has a negative impact on their ability to do normal daily activities.

A child with a ‘substantial’ disability requires significant support from another person or equipment to carry out things like personal or night-time care, eating or taking part in activities. 

This could include:

• a sensory impairment
• learning disability
• autism spectrum disorder
• challenging behaviour as a result of their learning disability
• complex health needs
• palliative, life-limiting or life-threatening conditions.
  

Parents and carers can make a referral to the service as well as professionals.

Referrals from parents and carers

Parents and carers can make a referral to the team by contacting Brent’s Family Front Door

Office hours (Mon – Fri 9am - 5pm)

Phone: 020 8937 4300

Outside office hours

Phone the emergency duty team: 020 8863 5250

Referrals from professionals

If you are a professional, you will need to complete an Early Help Assessment (EHA) for the child or young person you are referring.

The assessment

The assessment of your child’s needs will consider:

• how your child’s disability impacts their daily life, including being able to care for themselves and keep safe
• the impact of your child’s disability on family life
• your child’s strengths and abilities, and the wishes of your child and your family
• any other caring responsibilities you have as a parent
• any support from within your immediate or extended family, and community
• disability related benefits your family is receiving
• information from professionals involved with your child such as their school, GP or paediatrician.

The assessment can also consider your needs as a carer. Find out more about carer’s assessments.