Services for children

This page answers the following questions:

What services are there available if my child has a neurological condition?
How does my child get extra educational help?
What happens when my child reaches adulthood?
How can parents ensure their child’s needs are met?

What services are available if my child has a neurological condition?

The Children’s National Service Framework published in September 2004 sets standards for children’s health and social services, and how those services interact with education. The Children’s NSF focuses on early intervention, based on assessment of a child and the family’s needs, and improved access to services for all children according to their needs.

A number of neurological conditions are present from birth and others arise in childhood. Your child has the same rights to appropriate health, social and educational services as everyone else. The medical professionals treating your child are most likely to specialise in treating children. This is known as paediatric care. In some areas there are also specialist facilities for children, for example child development centres. These will assess your child’s development needs and help provide co-ordinated family support from health, social and education services.

Many neurological conditions will mean that a child will be covered by the legal definition of ‘disability’ entitling them to be considered for additional services. Your child is entitled to be assessed by social services at any age in order to establish what services can be provided for you and your child, for example, practical assistance at home or home adaptations. If it is agreed that services are needed, children’s social services will draw up a care plan. This summarises the services to be provided. You will be given a copy of this and it should be reviewed by children’s services every year.

How does my child get extra educational help?

If you think that your child has special educational needs (SEN) you should talk to their early years education setting/school about your concerns. You can ask your local education authority to carry out an SEN assessment which could lead to your child having a Statement of their SEN and the extra help needed to meet their needs. For disabled children, schools must make reasonable adjustments to allow the child to be included.

What happens when my child reaches adulthood?

At age 14 the local education authority will produce a Transition Plan for your child. This plan will review your child’s needs as they reach adulthood. It will include education and training needs, employment opportunities, accommodation requirements and leisure activities. Parents and the young person will be invited to the Transition Plan review meeting.

How can parents ensure their child’s needs are met?

You know your child best and your views, as well as those of your child, should be listened to and taken into account. You can contact the sources of advice and/or the association which covers your child’s condition (see section 3) for further help and information.

Next: Concerns about care