Type of service: Interventions and therapies, Outreach

The service seeks to provide a holistic, specialised, evidence-based, flexible community based service for children and young people with significant learning disabilities, aged 5-18 years.

Referral criteria: children with a mild, moderate and severe learning disabilities who are also experiencing emotional and behavioural difficulties that are impacting on their longer term psychological wellbeing or their relationships with significant others. The Care pathway also applies to children with severe social and communication difficulties which impacts on their mental health, irrespective of the severity of their cognitive impairment. They may also have additional health compromising conditions such as: mental health issues; autism spectrum disorder; mild to extreme challenging behaviour; complex epilepsy; cerebral palsy; hyperkinetic difficulties (ADHD / ADD) .

There are three teams that serve different areas in Norfolk; East, Central and West. Each team is made up of qualified Learning Disability Nurses, Psychologists, Assistant Psychologists, a Family Support Worker, a Family Therapist and two Senior Administrators. Interventions offered may be: .

• Individual sessions with children and young people where appropriate (sexual health, keeping safe, managing emotions, etc.)
• Advice and information for parents on behavioural management strategies, parenting advice in relation to current diagnoses, health related issues, etc.
• Family Therapy
• Theraplay
• Psychiatry is available on a sessional basis
• Interventions are time limited to enable a more accessible service to those in need.

A consultation service is also available from any member of the team for professionals, in relation to particular cases.


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Aimed at: Adolescent , Child