Complex disability and eating and drinking difficulties

Specialist support

Children and young people can access specialist support from 0 to 18 years old (or up to 19 if in full time education). Please visit the Accessing our service page for further information or phone our Therapy One Point service on 0300 123 2650.

The specialist provision within this area of support is delivered across:

• Workshops and advice for parents and professionals
• Individual sessions
• Group work.

Children and young people may be offered specialist support if any of the following are their primary area of need:

• Complex health needs
• Multiple specialist interventions
• Cerebral Palsy - levels 4 to 5 of the Gross Motor Function Classification System
• Profound and multiple learning disability
• Neuro-muscular (acute deterioration or new complex presentation)
• Susceptibility to reparatory compromise including that associated with eating and drinking difficulties (cognition, airway clearance, decreased active movement and limited cough).

We aim to work in partnership with parents, with parental involvement adapted to suit age and needs. Home/school programmes and/or online training for parents and education staff will be available.

Following assessment, a child or young person obtaining specialist support will receive targeted advice and intervention from practitioners within the Children's Integrated Therapy and Equipment service including: Occupational Therapist (OT), Physiotherapist (PT) Speech and Language Therapist (SLT), trained Integrated Therapies Assistants (ITAs), or a combination of practitioners.