Children with Disabilities Service

The Children with Disabilities Social Work Team supports children up to the age of 18 who have learning disabilities, a physical or sensory impairment, chronic and life threatening or life limiting illness or multiple disabilities whose needs cannot be met through support available at Universal: Level 1Children having their needs met through accessing universal services such as schools, health visiting, GP and so on. , Targeted or Early Help support.

We will assess the needs of children and young people with disabilities who also have needs for additional support because of the impact of their disability. We will then work with parents and carers to implement a plan aimed at meeting identified needs.

These plans can take many forms such as a “Child in Need Plan”, a “Child Protection Plan” a “Child Looked After Plan” or following the outcome of assessment we may make recommendations to refer for an “Education, Health and Care Plan This involves building a picture of your child’s abilities, difficulties, behaviour, his/her special educational needs (if applicable) and the support required to meet those needs. A statutory assessment is a formal procedure which involves the collection of information from as many people as possible who have detailed knowledge about your child. of Need” or a “Continuing Care Plan” provided by our colleagues in the Clinical Commissioning Group.  We may also make suggestions on how any existing Early Help Plan may be amended to meet need.

A full overview of all of Knowsley Councils Children’s Social Care procedures can be found here Knowsley Children's Social Care Operational Procedures Manual (proceduresonline.com)  This manual outlines the timeframes and expectations from initial contact, through the assessment process and to the point of no longer needing support.

For disabled children and young people with an Education, Health and Care Plan, the social care assessment will determine the social care element of that plan, where this is required.  We work closely with  Special Educational Needs and Disability Team and any Health services about Education, Health and Care planning.

We also work in partnership with others such as voluntary sector organisations, education providers and Adult Social Care to ensure a smooth transition to adulthood for those young people who receive our services.

For those children with high levels of assessed need and associated challenges for them and their families, we are able to provide a range of services including:

• Provision of Direct Payments to access a range of support options such as;
  • A personal assistant
  • A budget to directly commission a support agency
  • Respite care
  • Other creative uses of Direct Payments can be achieved and will be discussed at care planning stage.
• Support to access community activities
• Provision of care for children and young people who cannot be cared for in their own families.
• Transport
• Carer’s assessments
• Helping young people with the transition into adulthood
• Personal care and behaviour support for families experiencing difficulties managing their child's care and behaviour in the home
• Short break overnight provision for children and young people with acute levels of need. 

The support options available are not definitive and change over time, and based on need, so options will be discussed at support planning stage. Any support plan is subject to review and may change.

Our aim is to ensure that all children and young people with a disability have appropriate access to mainstream services such as education, primary health, mental health care, after school activities, and holiday play schemes.

Where a child, young person or family requests an assessment, this is carried out by talking and listening to them and gathering information, with consent, from professionals who know the child or young person, such as GP, school and health visitor. The assessment will consider the specific needs of parents and other family members in their role as carers however a standalone parent carer assessment can be requested.

There are several agencies who support children, young people, parents, carers and families across the local area many of them can be accessed below.

Knowsley Places to Go, Things to Do

SEND Local Offer

Family Information Service

Live Well

Paediatric Therapy Service :: Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust

For more direct support or signposting the following agencies are available enhanced support, advice or signposting;

SEND Information, Advice and Support Service

Knowsley Parent Carer Voice

Knowsley Disability Concern

Knowsley Carers Centre

Knowsley Together Advocacy