Children’s Centre

Children’s Centres provides a multidisciplinary service for children and their families, helping each child reach their full potential.

When referred to a Children’s Centre, a child may be seen either individually or by a multidisciplinary team to assess all aspects of their development. Visits to home or school may be part of this process. Children may receive therapy from two or more professionals at one time either on their own or in a small group.

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• The Team
  • Paediatricians – who will medically examine the child and discuss their general health
  • Community Children’s Nurses – who visit children with complex health needs at home
  • Occupational Therapists – who help to develop the child’s ability to perform everyday tasks such as self care, play, attention and organisation
  • Physiotherapists – who assess how a child moves and gives advice on positioning and handling as well as specific exercises and activities
  • Podiatrist – holds a weekly clinic in conjunction with Physiotherapy to assess foot problems
  • Speech and Language Therapists – assess the child’s understanding and communication skills and advise on feeding and swallowing issues
  • Clinical Psychologists – who help children with emotional, behavioural or developmental issues
  • Dietitian – who provides advice on nutritional concerns
  • Orthoptist – who will assess the child’s vision and eye development, check for squint and advise regarding glasses and treatment
  • Social Worker – can provide a variety of services such as support for families through diagnosis, contact with voluntary organisations and groups, provision of direct payments and information on social support for children
  • Family Therapy Service – this service is run by Child and Adolescent Mental Service (CAMHS)
  • Clinic Co-ordinator – is responsible for the day to day running of the centre and manages the team of administrative staff
  • Admin Manager – to support all professionals
• Clinics

  Clinics available include:

  • Audiology
  • Enuresis
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Medical Assessment Clinics
  • Feeding
  • Dietetics
  • Orthoptics
  • Podiatry
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Physiotherapy
• Referrals

  Referrals to the Children’s Centre come from a variety of sources including hospital Consultants, GPs, Health Visitors and Teachers.