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Children and young people may experience a wide range of social and emotional difficulties which manifest themselves in many ways. These may include becoming withdrawn or isolated, as well as displaying challenging, disruptive or disturbing behaviour. These behaviours may reflect underlying mental health difficulties such as anxiety or depression, self-harming, substance misuse, eating disorders or physical symptoms that are medically unexplained. Other children and young people may have disorders such as attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactive disorder or attachment disorder.

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All children should be provided with an education that enables them to achieve the best educational outcomes. It is important that as an early years provider  arrangements in place to support all children’s individual needs including those with SEN or disabilities.

Inclusive practice is demonstrated throughout the setting, allowing all children to access the same learning opportunities as their peers.

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Social interactions are how we act and react to those around us; they form the basis of any relationship between two or more people. These interactions include physical movements, body language, talking and conversations, playing, sharing and more.

Early social interaction is particularly beneficial for child development, and the right environment can help children develop strong language skills, creativity, empathy, communication and confidence. Nursery is one such environment where these skills can thrive.

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SEND West Hill Pre-School & Hednesford Nursery School

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SEND West Hill Pre-School & Hednesford Nursery School

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Mrs Freeman is the SENCo and for nursery-pre-school pupils, Inclusion Manager across the federation she can be contacted through the office or by email dfreeman@westhill.staffs.sch.uk

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Mrs Seager is the SENCo for pupils attending West Hill Primary School. She can be contacted through the office or by email cseager@westhill.staffs.sch.uk

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The SEND Code of Practice identifies 4 areas of need:
Communication & Interaction
Cognition & Learning
Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Physical & Sensory

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Information, support and services for children and young people aged 0-25 with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND).

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Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Local Offer

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For autumn 2020 childcare settings should be operating as normal in most cases. For advice and guidance related to Covid19 please see:

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The SEND Code of Practice says 'a child of compulsory school age ... has a learning difficulty or disability if they:
Have a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of others of the same age or
Have a disability which prevents or hinders them from kmaking use of the facilities of a kind generally provided for others of the same age in a mainstream school

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At Two Years of age a joint review carried out by a health visitor and a written summary from the child’s key person outlining the child’s progress focusing on communication and language, physical development and Personal, Social and Emotional development. It is the key person’s responsibility to share this progress check with the parent. If areas of concern are highlighted practitioner should first approach parents, then SENCO and together create an individual support plan for the child.

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Children and young people with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) have difficulty in communicating with others.
Children and young people with ASD, including Asperger’s Syndrome and Autism, are likely to have particular difficulties with social interaction.

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Tips and advice for professionals to develop children’s communication skills.

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Speech and Language Therapy | Stoke Speaks Out | United Kingdom

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Stoke Speaks Out supports parents and professionals to develop children's speech, language and communication skills.

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The Communication Consortium is a membership body made up of more than 35 community and voluntary sector (not for profit) organisations which support children's speech, language and communication development. This can be either for all children or children with particular speech, language and communication needs.

The purpose of the Consortium is to:

Share information, insight and intelligence concerning developments in the speech, language and communication sector

Share examples of best practice amongst Members at Consortium meetings

Work together to make submissions to government or sector consultations when it is felt a sector-wide response would be beneficial

Work together to present a sector voice when it is felt necessary or beneficial to do so

The Consortium Members normally meet three times per year. A Consortium Chair is elected by the Members for a period of two years to facilitate the meetings, and the Consortium is administered by I CAN. An Advisory Group provides advice and support to the I CAN Chief Executive for the strategic development of the Consortium, made up of The Consortium Chair, an I CAN Speech and Language expert and three Chief Executives or Directors of Member organisations who are elected to serve a three-year term each.

Where felt appropriate, Consortium members are encouraged to explore with each other funding opportunities. Where any funding opportunities for the work of the Consortium itself are identified, this will be shared with the Members for discussion and exploration.
Communication Consortium grant programme
During the three-year period, April 2020 to March 2023, a grant-giving programme is available for Consortium members, administered by I CAN and subject to funding. Only Consortium Members who have been active for at least 12 months will be eligible to apply for these grants.

Details about year 2 of the grant programme is available here

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The Communication Consortium is a membership body made up of more than 35 community and voluntary sector (not for profit) organisations which support children's speech, language and communication development. This can be either for all children or children with particular speech, language and communication needs.

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Staffordshire Speech & Language Therapy Services

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Staffordshire Speech & Language Therapy Services

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Skip to main content Skip to accessibility tools

The Children's Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) service is provided across Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent.

Speech and language therapists work with babies, children and young people who have speech, language, communication and/or eating and drinking needs. Teams include Speech and Language Therapists, SLT Assistants and support staff.

What does our service offer?

Assessment

Advice

Diagnosis-if appropriate

Therapy - this may be direct (therapist working directly with child) or indirect (therapist working through a parent, carer or other professional)

Programmes and resources to support work at home and in a setting

Training: child specific or topic specific

Therapists work in the community in a wide range of settings. These include: family homes, community clinics, hospital, schools, nurseries, children's centres.

We work in partnership with a range of other agencies including Education and Early Years Services, Social Services and the Voluntary Sector.

What will happen at Speech and Language Therapy?

The speech and language therapist will ask you some questions about your child's development. It is helpful if you bring your 'red book' along and any other referral letters you have had. The therapist may use toys and pictures to encourage your child to interact. They will discuss their findings with you and agree on the next steps.

How to refer to Speech and Language Therapy

A referral can be made by a Health Visitor, teacher, nursery practitioner, G.P., other professional, parent or those with parental responsibility. Please contact your local SLT team for referral advice.

Things to try at home

There are many ways parents and carers can support their child's speech and language development. For children in the early years (aged 0 to 5) the following websites may be helpful:

Useful resources

The following links provide information for children with speech, language and communication difficulties:

Where to find us

North Paediatric Speech & Language Therapy Team (Newcastle, Moorlands, Stafford, Seisdon, Stoke-on-Trent)

Bentilee Neighbourhood Centre,
Dawlish Drive,
Bentilee,
Stoke-On-Trent
ST2 0EU

Telephone: 01782 234484 & 234485

Email: sltnorth.admin@mpft.nhs.uk

Stafford Central Clinic,
Level 2,
Civic Centre,
Riverside,
Stafford
ST16 3AQ

Telephone: 0300 1240109 ext 3058

Email: sltnorth.admin@mpft.nhs.uk

South Paediatric Speech & Language Therapy Team (Burton, Lichfield, Tamworth & Cannock)

Hill Street Health and Wellbeing Centre,
Hill Street,
Burton-on-Trent
DE15 9LD

Telephone: 01283 505833

Email: sltpaedeast@mpft.nhs.uk

Greenhill Health Centre,
Church Street,
Lichfield
WS13 6JL

Telephone: 07866 038772

Email: sltpaedeast@mpft.nhs.uk

All Dysphagia / swallowing disorders referrals County/City wide

Bentilee Neighbourhood Centre,
Dawlish Drive,
Bentilee,
Stoke-On-Trent
ST2 0EU

Telephone: 01782 234484 & 234485

Email: sltnorth.admin@mpft.nhs.uk

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Speech & Language Therapy Services (Children)

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Skip to main content Skip to accessibility tools The Children's Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) service is provided across Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent. Speech and language therapists work with babies, children and young people who have speech, language, communication and/or eating and drinking needs.

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The Children & Young People's Autism Service is the autism service for south Staffordshire being provided by Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

The service can be accessed by:

Calling 0300 303 0691 between the hours of 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays)

Emailing cypautismservice@mpft.nhs.uk

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The service attended a Voice for Change meeting on 23 January 2020 to listen to the views of parents and carers.

A list of the questions and comments raised at the session are available to view by clicking here.

We are in the process of responding to the issues raised - these responses will be included below.

Patient notes
Q: What is happening about children and young people's files that were held by the previous provider that were not active but part of their 'open door' service?
Remaining files phrased as 'working diagnosis' are due to be transferred to us from the previous provider on 31 January. We will to write to these families to confirm we have received their working diagnosis file from the previous provider and provide them with details of how they can access the service, alongside details of the workshops we are running as these families will have access to intervention and the duty worker.
Q: I have hard copies of my child's record from the previous provider. Do I need to hand this to MPFT?
There is not a need for parents to hand in their files to us. We do ask for a copy of proof of an autism diagnosis only. This can either be scanned/photographed and attached to an email, or sent to the Children and Young People's Autism Service, Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, The Bridge, St George's Parkway, Stafford ST16 3NE.
Q: Where do the notes get stored at the previous provider or be archived, or do they get sent back to the previous provider or are they archived?
The NHS has defined standards with regards to how paper records are stored. Notes transferred to MPFT will be stored in accordance with these standards. All new activity relating to your child is entered in to MPFT's electronic patient records.
Q: Freedom of Information/subject access request pro-forma given to parents for the previous provider, to get data.
MPFT have now received working diagnosis notes from the previous provider and are reviewing these files. We will write to parents to inform them that these have been received. Any parents who wish to access their child's records are required to follow a process called Subject Access Request. The details of this process can be provided by contacting the relevant provider.
Q: How have you communicated the change of provider to schools?
The service has continued to work closely with other services (including schools) to ensure as smooth a transition as possible during the interim period. Schools within south Staffordshire receive a monthly update from the service. Information on the service is also shared directly with schools as part of the regular contacts the team have through school observations for children undergoing assessment.
Q: I have called MPFT and they didn't have my son's notes. Please could you advise parents in your weekly update how to get the notes?
All files that were 'actively open' for assessment or intervention were transferred over to MPFT on October 1 2019. Since we attended the Voice for Change session and spoke about this, there has been a further development which we hope will simplify matters. For those families awaiting a review of a working diagnosis for the previous 18 months, these files are due to be transferred on 31 January. We will then write to these parents to notify that your child's records have been received by us.
Q: What is happening regarding sensory support?
We are currently limited in the sensory support we can provide, whilst we recruit into vacancies. However, the service runs a number of workshops to support families and is holding an 'Understanding sensory processing in children with autism' workshop on Thursday 19 March from 10am-12.30pm at East Staffordshire Children Centre, Waterloo Street, Burton-on-Trent, DE14 2NJ. To book a place please call the autism team on 0300 303 0691 (9am-5pm, Monday to Friday) or email cypautismservice@mpft.nhs.uk. Details of upcoming workshops are announced via the service's weekly updates, through social media and via the service's web page at www.mpft.nhs.uk/services/children-and-young-people-autism-service and we welcome parents with a full or working diagnosis to contact the team to book a place. Occupational Therapists have an important part to play in sensory integration. The team have a part time Occupational Therapist supporting them with interventions, (who is trained in Sensory Integration) whilst we are recruiting a full time Occupational Therapist to support the team.
Q: How are MPFT preparing for handover following the decision over procurement?
Should MPFT not be successful in the autism bid, we would work closely with the successful provider and CCGs to ensure a smooth transition of care and information. This would be overseen by a project group who would be responsible for transfer of services and cover issues such as workforce, records and I.T. All information would be transferred in full and in a secure fashion in a method agreed by all parties and in line with NHS guidelines.

Staff currently working within the autism service will be an integral part of this process and these staff members would be eligible to TUPE (Transfer of Undertaking of Employment) to the new provider, ensuring consistency for families moving forward. Letters would be sent to all families known to the autism service providing information on the outcome of the tender and contact details of the successful provider. This information would also be available on the MPFT website and will be included as part of our regular stakeholder update.

MPFT will liaise with parent groups to set up meetings across south Staffordshire to provide face to face contact for parents who have any questions in relation to the contract award. These meetings will be arranged should the contract be awarded to MPFT or another provider.
Q: What is the lead time on appointments for new referrals?
We are currently unable to provide timeframes for new referrals; however, we are in the process of recruiting new staff to the team who will support the assessments and liaise with a range of professionals to provide additional support during the interim period to work through the waiting list as quickly as possible. We recommend that parents continue to monitor the regular stakeholder updates available on the autism service's web page at www.mpft.nhs.uk/services/children-and-young-people-autism-service where information will be available once confirmation of timescales can be provided. As soon as we are able to, we will write to parents with an appointment. We thank parents for their patience and understanding during this period.
Q: My child is a closed case, but I feel that she needs new support?
Parents/carers can complete a self-referral form which can be requested via email at cypautismservice@mpft.nhs.uk, along with proof of a full or working diagnosis. The service also has a duty worker available to discuss urgent concerns by telephone on 0300 303 0691 (9am-5pm, Monday to Friday) regarding your child.
Q: How are MPFT planning to address waiting times?
We recognise that children and families are experiencing a wait to access services and we are working hard to establish additional capacity to meet needs as quickly as possible. We have now recruited a full time Speech and Language Therapist and two new Assistant Psychologists who will be assisting with the assessments and interventions. We currently have posts advertised for psychologists, a specialist nurse and an Occupational Therapist. We are also attempting to source bank and agency capacity to support the service whilst we recruit to these posts. This will provide additional capacity within the team to offer appointments across south Staffordshire. MPFT is also looking into alternative options within their children's services and having discussions with external organisations who can provide capacity for those assessments that transferred from the previous provider.
Q: What is the position on additional diagnoses such as pathological demand avoidance (PDA), sensory processing disorder (SPD), dyspraxia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) etc? Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)
Pathological demand avoidance (PDA) was a term first used by Professor Elizabeth Newson in the 1980s, to describe the profile of a group of children she had seen for assessment. PDA first appeared in a journal article in 2003. Elizabeth Newson described PDA as sitting under the umbrella of Pervasive Developmental Disorder. The diagnostic criteria for autism are continually reviewed and developed. Currently the categories of Pervasive Developmental Disorders are now being replaced by autism spectrum disorders.

Pathological demand avoidance (PDA) is increasingly, but not universally, accepted as a profile that is seen in some autistic people. The term Extreme Demand Avoidance emerged as an alternative term to Pathological Demand Avoidance as some feel extreme is a more acceptable term than pathological.

The existence of PDA as a 'diagnostic term' and how it fits within the autism spectrum is widely debated. With limited evidence based research there is no conclusive and agreed upon definition of PDA. What is generally agreed upon is what is often referred to as a PDA profile. People with a PDA profile are driven to avoid everyday demands and expectations to an extreme extent. This demand avoidance is often (but according to some PDA adults, not always) accompanied by high levels of anxiety.

As PDA is not a formally recognised diagnostic category in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM V), our team would not make a formal diagnosis, however if demand avoidance is a key feature of your child's profile we would make it known in any reports and support you in putting in place suitable management strategies.

For more information please see www.autism.org.uk/about/what-is/pda.aspx.
Sensory processing disorder (SPD)
Sensory processing refers to the way the nervous system receives messages from the senses and turns them into appropriate motor and behavioral responses. 'Sensory Processing Disorder', is not a diagnosis that is currently recognised in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM V), however that is not to say your child may not have sensory processing difficulties. Many children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) will have sensory processing difficulties associated with their diagnosis. These children might be too sensitive to certain sensations such as loud noises, smells, the feel of their clothes or another person's touch. They might actively try to avoid these sensations through certain behaviours.

Some children are not sensitive enough to certain sensations such as food around their mouth, movement and body position. They might actively seek sensations through behaviours such as chewing non-food items, fidgeting or being generally on the go.

Sensory processing can be very variable from one day to the next and from one child to another.

As part of your assessment and intervention our team will help you unpick your child's behaviours and whether or not they are sensory, or have another cause.

We know that children with high levels of anxiety tend to display a higher level of sensory sensitivity i.e. more sensitive to sensations such as noise, touch, smells and tastes. We also know that children who are struggling to communicate and express their emotions or needs sometimes use sensory behaviours to gain attention. It is important to consider both of these things in the context of sensory processing difficulties and address them alongside the sensory behaviours.

Ayres Sensory Integration Therapy/Intervention (ASI) is a form of therapy which aims to change the child's underlying neural pathways and remedy the child's impairment in sensory processing. We do not offer ASI as it is not an approach that is recommended by the Royal College of Occupational Therapy or NICE guidelines for Autism.

When a child/young person is referred to occupational therapy as part of the ASC service an occupational therapy assessment will be carried out using a range of assessments which could include sensory processing assessments if the practitioner felt it was appropriate.

If it is identified that sensory difficulties are impacting a child/ young person's level of functioning, appropriate recommendations and care planning will reflect any sensory strategies alongside other occupational therapy recommendations/ interventions.

For more information about sensory difficulties please see www.autism.org.uk/sensory.

Developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD), also known as dyspraxia, is a condition affecting physical co-ordination. It causes a child to perform less well than expected in daily activities for their age, and appear to move clumsily.

Dyspraxia is thought to be caused by the way that the brain processes information, which results in messages not being properly or fully transmitted. It affects the planning of what to do and how to do it, and is associated with problems of perception, language and thought. Dyspraxia sometimes runs in families.

While it is distinct from Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) many parents notice similar symptoms, including sensory processing issues. In some cases the two conditions can co-occur. As with autism, people with dyspraxia may be over- or under-sensitive to certain sensory stimuli. MPFT has a pathway for dyspraxia in our Community Paediatrics service, including an OT/Physio joint clinic. If the CYP autism team think it appropriate a referral to support to this service will be made.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
ADHD is common in people with autism. If someone has ADHD, they have significant difficulties with things like poor attention, over-activity and impulsiveness. MPFT are currently reviewing the pathway for diagnosis and intervention for children with ADHD. We hope to move towards a more integrated neuro-developmental offer. This is subject to service redesign and further discussions with the CCG. If as part of your autism assessment it is suspected that your child may have ADHD then this will be discussed with you and a management plan put in place.

For more information please see www.autism.org.uk/about/what-is/related-conditions/adhd.aspx.
Q: What is happening about feedings specialist appointments?
We have been commissioned by the CCGs to provide an autism assessment and intervention service. The specification and requirements for a specialist feeding support or ARFID (Avoidance Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) would be different and we are not in a position to provide an ARFID service. However, we recognise that many young people with autism have issues relating to food and support around feeding issues related to autism will be provided in line with an autism intervention service. We will be making contact with the families that were actively open with the previous provider as soon as practically possible.Files involving children and young people who were actively receiving support around feeding at the time of the transfer have been transferred to MPFT and have been reviewed by the team.

Recognising the issues children and young people with autism can experience, we are in the process of developing a workshop focussed on food and diet in conjunction with the Trust's Dietetic team and details of these workshops will be available shortly.

Where a specialist service is required, as with other specialist services MPFT would make an onward referral where necessary.
Q: Are the staff trained in autism or will they be undertaking some form of training?
All members of staff in the service have experience and knowledge of autism, with these skills being dependent on their role within the team. Staff who transferred from the previous provider bought with them a range of qualifications, experience and knowledge of autism and these staff have been able to provide some consistency to the families. Since the transfer from the previous provider, clinicians have also undertaken additional training on assessment tools such as Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS).

Internal and external training to provide continuing professional development is available to all staff to ensure they can provide the appropriate advice and support around autism.

All new members of the team undergo an induction programme and complete any training required to enable them to provide a thorough assessment or delivery of intervention programmes.

As a team, we frequently attend external training to keep updated on any new approaches to intervention and staff make a conscious effort to maintain their understanding of current research in the field to ensure we continue to offer an evidence based service that meets the needs of families.
Q: How long will the process take once you have sent a self-referral with evidence of the child's diagnosis?
Unfortunately, we cannot provide a timescale presently, but the team are recruiting a range of professionals to support with interventions and are offering an increasing number of workshops across south Staffordshire which include sleep, understanding sensory processing, introduction to autism, speech and language and feeding. Please feel free to contact the team on 0300 303 0691 (between 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday) or via email to cypautismservice@mpft.nhs.uk for further information or to book on a workshop.
Q: Can you do consultations over the phone?
We can offer advice and support over the phone (0300 3030 0691) through a duty worker, who is trained to provide this support to families. The team welcome any enquiries or questions and if information is not available at that time, we will call families back as soon as possible. We are looking to develop other modes of consultation in the future, including telephone and video conferencing consultation.
Q: What does the new service specification say about education, health and care plans (EHCPs)? Is this a condition of remaining in the service until 25?
The future autism service is currently proceeding through the procurement process by the CCG. This specification is not the same as the interim service specification. The future autism service is currently proceeding through the procurement process by the CCG. This specification is not the same as the interim service specification. The CCG will be able to provide further information about the revised service specification.
Q: No appointments.
We would like to reassure families that appointments for assessments and interventions are taking place across south Staffordshire. The team are prioritising those children and young people who are experiencing the longest wait and the greatest clinical need.

All new referrals that are received into the service for both assessment and intervention are risk assessed at the time of triage.

We would like to thank families for their patience during this interim period. The service has experienced a number of staffing issues, leading to delays in appointments for assessments. We are taking on a number of senior clinicians, including a new Speech and Language Therapist who has joined the team and new Assistant Psychologists and are actively recruiting other clinical specialists to further bolster the team.

Should you have any specific issues or concerns then a duty worker is available by calling the service on 0300 3030 0691 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday to provide advice.

We would also encourage families to contact the team to book on workshops that are being delivered across south Staffordshire. For further information and to book a place please email the team at cypautismservice@mpft.nhs.uk or call 0300 303 0691 during office hours.

Regular stakeholder updates can be found via MPFT website at www.mpft.nhs.uk/services/children-and-young-people-autism-service.

The service web page features:

Referral information (NB: Referrals into the service can only be made by a professional who has met with the child and family)

Frequently asked questions that provide more information both to current and new users of the service

Information should urgent help be required

Contact details for a number of other useful services and organisations

Workshop information

Weekly updates

Q: Consistency of messages on what to do for parents to progress.
Our admin team are aware that families are waiting for an appointment and the frustration this causes. We apologise that we are currently unable to confirm exact timescales for assessments or interventions to commence. As well as taking on a new Speech and Language Therapist and new Assistant Psychologists, we are recruiting other clinical specialists to further bolster the team.

We would recommend that families sign up to our weekly update which provides the latest information concerning the service - this can be done by emailing communications@mpft.nhs.uk.

With regards to advice provided by our duty worker, the team are varied with a range of professionals with differing expertise and knowledge. Each member of the clinical team has a unique background and specialism to support a multi-disciplinary approach. This provides us with the potential to have different methods in supporting any one problem, giving families alternative options around advice for their individual child.

The team work closely together and share their knowledge to ensure the best outcomes for the child or young person. If situations arise where a child or young person may benefit from access to other services or experience, our weekly multi-disciplinary team meetings help to facilitate this.

Families may be suited to, or have a preference for a different approach, but any advice given is in line with the family's current needs and will be evidence based. Every family is unique, with differing needs and circumstances, but if an approach is not providing the expected outcome, we would welcome a further call into the office to discuss alternative advice or support mechanisms.

Questions/observations from Autism Pyramid Group members
Q: Child has a working diagnosis - are they likely to be seen by MPFT or will they have to wait for new provider?
Any child or young person with a full or working diagnosis has access to our range of interventions and workshops provided by the service. For interventions, families would need to complete a self-referral form (which they can do by emailing us directly at cypautismservice@mpft.nhs.uk) and we would require evidence of a diagnosis should this not currently be available to the team.

We have now received the files from the previous provider for families that are in receipt of a working diagnosis. We are in the process of sending out letters to these families whose files have now transferred over and further information will be contained within these letters. However, we would like to reassure parents and carers that until such time that a review of the diagnosis can take place, the working diagnosis will remain valid and does not expire without a review.

Should MPFT not be successful in its tender to provide the service on a substantive basis, then we will work closely with the new provider to ensure a smooth transition of services and this will include those families awaiting a working diagnosis review.
Q: Timescale from referral by GP for autism assessment?
We are unable provide specific timescales presently concerning the commencement of an autism assessment. We are in the process of recruiting new staff to support with these assessments and appointments will be arranged once these staff are in post.

All referrals received, whether from a GP, school or other health professional are triaged by the referral team and added to the waiting list in order of date accepted.

We will share more information through our weekly update around timescales for assessments to commence as soon as possible and we thank families once again for their patience during this period.
Q: Transfer of files from the previous provider - where are our children's notes and files being stored?
All files transferred from the previous provider are stored securely.
Q: I had one appointment with the previous provider, but have heard nothing since.
We would like to reassure families that appointments for assessments and interventions are taking place across south Staffordshire. The team are prioritising those children and young people who are experiencing the longest wait and the greatest clinical need.

Should you have a query relating to this then please email the team, at cypautismservice@mpft.nhs.uk or call 0300 303 0691 (9am-5pm, Monday to Friday) and we will be happy to check our records. We would encourage families to sign up to the service's weekly update to receive the latest information - this can be done by emailing communications@mpft.nhs.uk
Q: Have been told I am on a waiting list.
The team are aware of those families that are currently on a waiting list for assessment or intervention and these records have been reviewed to identify those with the longest wait and assessed for risks. The team are prioritising those children and young people who are experiencing the longest wait and the greatest clinical need.

We would recommend that families sign up to our weekly update which provides the latest information concerning the service - this can be done by emailing communications@mpft.nhs.uk.
Q: I do not have a specific appointment date and have spoken to PALS to complain.
We thank everybody for their patience during this transition and we do understand that this is very frustrating for everybody involved. We are doing all we can to help, and apologise that we cannot offer precise appointment dates to all children waiting. We are writing to parents where we are in a position to offer appointments. May we please also remind you that we have a clinician available to talk with you if you have any specific queries or concerns. The Trust's Customer Services Team (PALS) is available for advice and support and to receive any concerns you may have. They can be contacted by:
Q: Feel like interim provider is not providing a service at present.
We recognise this is a difficult time for families and again thank you for your understanding during this time. We would like to reassure families that appointments for assessments and interventions are taking place across south Staffordshire. We are also offering a wide range of workshops to support families - the latest information is shared through our weekly update (which you can subscribe to by emailing communications@mpft.nhs.uk), via the service's web page at www.mpft.nhs.uk/services/children-and-young-people-autism-service and also through MPFT's Facebook account www.facebook.com/mpftnhs.

We are also continuing to meet face-to-face with parent groups to listen to parents and receive feedback, ideas and suggestions.

We welcome any feedback or suggestions should parents/carers not be able to attend one of these events and we will do our utmost to respond to any enquiries as quickly as possible. You can submit this feedback by emailing the service at cypautismservice@mpft.nhs.uk.
Q: Has there been communication to schools, social services and other agencies who may be involved as parents are having to tell these agencies that the previous provider are no longer responsible for autism services?
Prior to commencing the interim service, the Trust communicated this news to a wide range of stakeholders, including schools, and other agencies. During the interim service period, the Trust has continued to communicate openly and directly with a range of groups through the service's weekly update, as well as through face-to-face meetings. Where appropriate, the service liaises with social services, schools and other professionals to ensure information is made available to those who are currently working with a child/family. The service will continue to provide regular updates through the service's weekly updates, through social media and via the service's web page at www.mpft.nhs.uk/services/children-and-young-people-autism-service and is committed to furthering positive relationships with parent groups to ensure information gets to those seeking access to the service, whether this be families or professionals.
Q: Main concern from parents is that their children have been lost in the system.
The service appreciates this concern and thanks families for their patience during this interim period. We also acknowledge some of the difficulties caused by the initial transition; however we can assure you that we are working as hard as we can to support these families. The team are happy for families to contact them if they have any questions or wish to speak to a duty worker around urgent concerns for their child or young person. This can be done by calling 0300 303 0691 (9am-5pm, Monday to Friday) or emailing cypautismservice@mpft.nhs.uk. We continue to build on the team with a range of professional skills that will ensure a specialist multi-disciplinary service moving forward.

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Children and Young People's Autism Service

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The service attended a Voice for Change meeting on 23 January 2020 to listen to the views of parents and carers. A list of the questions and comments raised at the session are available to view by clicking here . We are in the process of responding to the issues raised - these responses will be included below.

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Since 2016, this group of young people, ages 15-25, have shared their voices and lived experiences to steer, influence and advise the work we do. As well as advising on AET materials and strategy, Panel members speak at events, co-deliver training and support autism education networks.

Find out how this group of young people are supporting, co-producing and advising the AET.

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Helping you support autistic children and young people since 2007

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The group is open to all parents, carers, professionals, and individuals with a connection to Autism, ADHD and all other associated Neurodiversity 💛 This is a peer led group offering support, advice and shared experiences.

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Cannock Chase Autism Support Group has 763 members. 💛 Welcome to Cannock Chase Autism Support Group. The group was created by a Neurodivergent adult in 2019. The group is now one of the largest in...

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Support for learning difficulties may be required when children and young people learn at a slower pace than their peers, even with appropriate differentiation. Learning difficulties cover a wide range of needs, including moderate learning difficulties (MLD), severe learning difficulties (SLD).
Specific learning difficulties (SpLD), affect one or more specific aspects of learning. This encompasses a range of conditions such as dyslexia, dyscalculia and dyspraxia

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Bloom’s Taxonomy is one of the best-known theories in education, used to create and classify learning objectives according the level of complexity.

The taxonomy comprises three domains of learning: cognitive, affective and psycho-motor. Skills are ordered in a hierarchy, where each level takes over from the one before.

In principle, the taxonomy promotes higher forms of thinking and supports learning outcomes that focus on depth of learning rather than tasks.

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Online Cannock Behaviour and Wellbeing Workshops Summer 2021

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Emotion Coaching UK has been set up to promote Emotion Coaching as a way of supporting and sustaining children and young people's emotional and behavioural wellbeing

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Emotion Coaching UK promotes the use and development of emotion coaching to support childen and young people through training, consultancy and resources

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We're leading the fight for a future where all young minds are supported and empowered, whatever the challenges.

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YoungMinds | Mental Health Charity For Children And Young People

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YoungMinds are a mental health charity for children, young people and their parents, making sure all young people can get the mental health support they need.

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The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) provide services to children and young people living in South Staffordshire. This includes area such as Stafford, Stone, Rugeley, Cannock, Seisdon Peninsula, Lichfield, Burton, Uttoxeter, Tamworth.

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We are a small community mental health team based in CAMHS whose primary task is to provide home based interventions and treatment as an alternative to hospital admission.

We work in partnership with children young people, families and carers to assess, plan and implement therapeutic interventions and care to promote recovery in their community.

We cover the whole of South Staffordshire and work alongside CAMHS clinicians in the different areas, Stafford, Cannock, Tamworth, Lichfield, Burton and the Seisdon peninsular.

A community based team whose primary task is to provide intensive care and support as an alternative for accessing intervention for young people who would otherwise require admission to inpatient beds. For those young people who do require a period of inpatient care remain as their community contact and to facilitate their early discharge from hospital.

For more information about the team, click here.

Leaflet
Intensive Outreach Team
Contact details

Angela Payne/ Sharron Chamberlain (Team Leaders)
First Floor, Block 6
St Michael's Court
Trent Valley Road
Lichfield
WS13 6EF

Office telephone number: 01543 441441

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We are a small community mental health team based in CAMHS whose primary task is to provide home based interventions and treatment as an alternative to hospital admission. We work in partnership with children young people, families and carers to assess, plan and implement therapeutic interventions and care to promote recovery in their community.

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Having good mental health helps us relax more, achieve more and enjoy our lives more. We have expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing.

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Feeling stressed, anxious, low or struggling to sleep? Every Mind Matters can help with expert advice, practical tips and personalised actions to help stay on top of your mental wellbeing.

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The Gottman Institute

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Some children and young people require special educational provision because they have a disability which prevents or hinders them from making use of the educational facilities generally provided. These difficulties can be age related and may fluctuate over time. Many children and young people with vision impairment (VI), hearing impairment (HI) or a multi-sensory impairment (MSI) will require specialist support and/or equipment to access their learning, or habilitation support.

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Children's Choice Occupational Therapy Service 

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Children's Choice Occupational Therapy Service 

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Children’s Choice Therapy Service Ltd are specialist Occupational Therapists (including sensory integration accredited therapists), who provide independent services to special and main stream schools, health and social care as well as charities and individuals.

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Children's Choice Therapy Service Ltd are specialist Occupational Therapists (including sensory integration accredited therapists), who provide independent services to special and main stream schools, health and social care as well as charities and individuals.
We work across the community, in homes, schools and clinics and now within our own specialist centre providing assessment, treatment and training.

The centre includes training facilities, opportunity for group work, specialist Occupational Therapy, and a full Sensory Integration based Occupational Therapy treatment room (built in association with 'Spacekraft' - sensory equipment providers). This provides the opportunity for more complex assessments and interventions and to train and work alongside carers and parents to help embed treatment principles in to daily life to impact the child's / young person's everyday tasks.

Programmes are different for every child or young person. We use fun games, activities, crafts and learning tools, appropriate to the individual, to achieve the best outcomes. Each programme is underpinned by theoretical and researched knowledge. Programmes rarely use one approach but instead pull together a mix of skills and practices to achieve chosen goals (eg; sensory, motor, behavioural, neurodevelopmental, compensatory etc).

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Home | Helping children reach their potential

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We work across the community, in homes, schools and clinics and now within our own specialist centre providing assessment, treatment and training. The centre includes training facilities, opportunity for group work, specialist Occupational Therapy, and a full Sensory Integration based Occupational Therapy treatment room (built in association with 'Spacekraft' - sensory equipment providers).

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Movement Matters UK

Movement Matters is the UK umbrella organisation representing the major national groups concerned with children and adults with coordination difficulties, a condition called Developmental Coordination Disorder (or DCD) and sometimes referred to as 'dyspraxia'.

Movement Matters was formed early in 2011 to act as an umbrella group to bring together the key bodies involved in Developmental Coordination Disorder/Dyspraxia in the UK.

This includes DCD-UK, the Dyspraxia Foundation, and the National Handwriting Association.

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Developemental Coordination Disorder, DCD, Dyspraxia, ADHD SPLD, support and information, Movement Matters

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Movement Matters is the UK umbrella organisation representing the major national groups concerned with children and adults with coordination difficulties, a condition called Developmental Coordination Disorder (or DCD) and sometimes referred to as 'dyspraxia'. Movement Matters was formed early in 2011 to act as an umbrella group to bring together the key bodies involved in Developmental Coordination Disorder/Dyspraxia in the UK.

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The Vision Impairment Team supports children and young people aged 0-25 years with a vision impairment at home, in early years settings, mainstream and special schools. This support continues throughout school and into further education. This forms part of Staffordshire's Local Offer and is part of the Sensory Team.

Qualified and experienced Specialist Teachers of the Vision Impaired, Mobility Officers, Intervenors (who work with children and young people with sensory impairments with additional needs) and Communication Support Workers (Specialist Teaching Assistants) work in partnership with parents/carers, teachers and other professionals to provide support to each individual.

The video below gives an overview of living with sightloss.

Teacher of the Vision Impaired

These are qualified teachers who have undertaken specialist training to obtain the mandatory qualification for teachers of children and young people with a vision impairment MEd/Postgraduate Diploma.

They are responsible for the management of a caseload of children and young people with vision impairment across the age range 0-25 in both mainstream and special schools.

Communication Support Worker

These are specialist teaching assistants who have undertaken specialist training in visual impairment. They work for the service for the vision impaired but are based in school with the children and young people. We also have Communication Support Workers that teach ICT- general skills, keyboard shortcuts, speech and magnification software.

Intervenor

These are specialist Communication Support Workers who work in homes and in special schools, they work with children and young people with visual and multi sensory impairments.

Mobility Officer

We have two mobility practitioners offering support and training who deliver mobility and life skills for independent living. They work as part of a team delivering a high quality mobility service including environment assessments, orientation and mobility.

Talk Time Co-ordinator

The Talk Time Co-ordinator provides an opportunity to explore emotional worries and concerns with an experienced Specialist Teacher of the Visually Impaired who also has counselling skills training.

Resource and IT Technician

We have an ICT Technician trained in the use of assistive technology. Our ICT technician also maintains our service laptops and computers.

VI Role Model

We employ an adult with vision implairment who visits pupils in school and gives advice and training on assistive technology. He promotes a positive Blind identity.

Our aim is to provide appropriate support for inclusion. Input is designed to ensure that the specific needs of each individual are met. Careful assessment is made and the level and type of support is reviewed regularly.

Support may include:

visiting homes, pre-school groups, nurseries, schools and colleges

providing advice, information and support to parents/carers and professionals

assess and monitor functional vision

offering training to the setting

assessing and monitoring functional vision

providing advice for teachers and parents/carers on access to the curriculum in mainstream and special schools

teaching of specialist skills: e.g. Braille or Moon

assessment of the need for specialist equipment and training in its use

mobility assessment and life skill training

ICT advice and touch typing training

training in the use of low vision aids

specialist advice to Local Authority as part of any assessment process such as Education Health and Care Plans

provide opportunities for sensory impaired C&YP to access activities and to meet together

How can I access the service?

We accept referrals primarily from health agencies but also from parents/carers, schools and other agencies but always with reference to medial advice regarding vision loss.

What happens when I become an adult? / Post 16 Support

Advice and support from Teachers of the Visually Impaired may continue to be available to young people with vision impairment in Further Education and other post school settings.

This may include

How to access mobility assessments and training

Advice on careers and work experience and apprenticeships

Information on benefits and services such as, Disabled Students Allowance(DSA), Access to Work

Signposting to organisations who can help with independent living

In addition the visual impairment team works closely with ASSIST (Autism and Sensory Support In Staffordshire) to ensure needs are met appropriately.

ASSIST provides support for people over 16 years of age who have hearing or vision loss, are deafblind, or who have an Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC).

Parental Feedback

Below are just a few positive comments from parents about the service that we provide.

My child has been previously in a different VI service catchment area and the services that we have received from Staffordshire County Council VI are far more superior at all levels.

Always supportive, act on any issues, efficiently and promptly and feedback always given. Training school staff was excellent.

Regular support in place with an excellent understanding of my sons' needs.

Child has made progress in terms of learning new things and becoming independent.

Child's VI Teachers have always been excellent. I know exactly how to get hold of them and always feel confident in their support to us and our family. We value their input greatly.

Useful Links

Action for Blind People
Action for Blind People is a national charity that provides free and confidential support for blind and partially sighted people in all aspects of their lives. One call to Action ensures that visually impaired people receive help with anything from finding a job, applying for benefits, housing issues, aids and adaptations, holiday breaks or information on local services. We can also offer advice to people who have a visually impaired friend or family member. Whatever the need, Action can help: Action for Blind People
Blind Children UK (formerly National Blind Children's Society)
Blind Children UK helps children and their families tackle the challenges of young sight loss so that they can enjoy their childhood and realise their potential as adults: Brent Council - Blind Children UK (formerly National Blind Children's Society)
Clear Vision Project
ClearVision is a postal lending library of children's books designed to be shared by visually impaired and sighted children and adults: Clearvision Project
Guide Dogs UK Charity for the Blind and Partially Sighted
Guide Dogs provides a wide range of services for children and young people, including mobility and life skills, large print books and grants for specialist technology. And we're here for the whole family, providing support and advice on a range of issues, including education: Guide Dogs UK Charity For The Blind And Partially Sighted
National Sensory Impairment Partnership (NatSIP)
NatSIP, the National Sensory Impairment Partnership is a partnership of organisations working together to improve outcomes for children and young people with sensory impairment: NatSIP - Home
RNIB Bookshare
RNIB Bookshare opens up the world of reading in education for learners with a print-disability, including those with dyslexia or who are blind or partially sighted: UK education collection | RNIB Bookshare, accessible books for print disabled learners.
Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)
The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) is one of the UK's leading sight loss charities and the largest community of blind and partially sighted people: RNIB - See differently -
SENSE
For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential: Home | Sense, for people with complex disabilities
VICTA
If you are the parent of a child who is blind or partially sighted, or a young adult aged 29 or under who is visually impaired, VICTA is here to help: VICTA - Empowering Children and Young Adults who are Blind or Partially Sighted

Further Information

Please see below a list of our Information Leaflets which are available on request:
V01 - Families - Support and Advice

V02 - Vision Loss - Teacher Guidelines

V03 - Visual Perception - Teacher Guidelines

V04 - Primary - Teacher Guidelines

V05 - Secondary - Teacher Guidelines

V06 - Mobility - Tips for Parents

V07 - Mobility - School Environment

V08 - Mobility - Teacher Guidelines

V09 - Teacher Guidelines - Cerebral Palsy

V10 - Teacher Guidelines - Down Syndrome

V11 - Teacher Guidelines - Monocular Vision

V12 - Teacher Guidelines - Squint

V13 - Teacher Guidelines - Colour Blindness

V14 - Talk Time - Listening Service

V14A - Talk Time - Listening Service Where Next

V15 - Referral and Permission Form

V16 - Multi-Sensory Impairment

V17 - Specialist Support Service - Visual Impairment Team
If you, or someone you know, would like a copy of these leaflets either in large print, braille, an audio tape or in languages other than English, please contact the Vision Impairment Team by phone on 01785 356830 or by email: sss.service@staffordshire.gov.uk

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The Vision Impairment Team supports children and young people aged 0-25 years with a vision impairment at home, in early years settings, mainstream and special schools. This support continues throughout school and into further education. This forms part of Staffordshire's Local Offer and is part of the Sensory Team.

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Conductive Hearing Loss Leaflet

High Frequency Hearing Loss Leaflet

Mild Hearing Loss Leaflet

Moderate Hearing Loss Leaflet

Severe and Profound Hearing Loss Leaflet

Unilateral Hearing Loss Leaflet

BAHA - Bone Anchored Hearing Aid Leaflet

Battery Information Flyer

CI - Cochlear Implant Leaflet

Retubing Instruction Sheet

Softband BAHA Leaflet

Fire and Rescue Alarm at Home Leaflet

General Hearing Impairment Advice Leaflet

Residential Information Leaflet

Specialist Support Service Hearing Impairment Team Leaflet

Swimming Information Leaflet

Using Technology at Home Leaflet
If you, or someone you know, would like a copy of these leaflets either in large print, braille, an audio tape or in languages other than English, please contact the Hearing Impairment Team by phone on 01785 356830 or by email: sss.service@staffordshire.gov.uk

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The Hearing Impairment Team supports children and young people aged 0-25 years with a vision impairment at home, in early years settings, mainstream and special schools. This support continues throughout school and into further education.

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Skip to main content Skip to accessibility tools

All families in Staffordshire will be offered an antenatal contact from the Health Visiting team, a new birth visit at home, and a 6 week, 9-12 months, and 2 to 2 and a half year development review. When your child starts school you will recieve a questionnaire about your child's health. Weight and height reviews will be offered in reception and year 6 as part of the National Child Measurement Programme.

Families requiring extra support will have a named Health Visitor or School Nurse from the strengthening families team.

In addition to these routine contacts parents and young people can contact us for support or advice on by calling the hub, texting our chat health service or attending one of our drop in clinics. We also have active Facebook and Instagram sites - see below for links, further information and contact details.

Please read the following Important Coronavirus (Covid-19) information before attending any appointments:
Important Coronavirus Information: pre appointment (pdf)

The Hub

The Hub is a central point of contact for the service. You can call the hub if you need to speak directly to a health visitor or school nurse for advice, support or guidance, or to book or change an appointment. The hub operates Monday to Friday 9am-5pm (excluding bank holidays).
East Hub: 0300 303 3924
(Covering East Staffs, Cannock, Rugeley, Lichfield and Tamworth)
West Hub: 0300 303 3923
(Covering Moorlands, Newcastle, Seisdon, Stafford and Stone)

Chat Health

ChatHealth is a text message service for parents/carers and young people to ask for health and wellbeing advice - see the contact box at the bottom of this page for telephone details.

ChatHealth is available between 09:00 and 17:00 Monday to Friday. Outside of these times, anyone who texts the service receives a message explaining where to get help if their question is urgent, and when they can expect a response.

Messages sent to the dedicated number are delivered to a secure website and responded to by one of the trained health professionals in the Families Health and Wellbeing team. Texts are usually replied to within one working day.

The legal bit

We do not usually inform parents, teachers or anyone else if a young person contacts the service. We might inform someone if we were concerned about their safety, but we would usually speak to the young person first. Your messages are stored and can be seen by other healthcare staff who follow the same confidentiality rules. We aim to reply to you within one working day and you should get an immediate response to confirm we have received your text. Texts will not be seen outside of normal working hours. If you are a young person and need help before you hear back from us, contact a member of school staff or your doctor. Our text number does not receive voice calls or MMS picture messages. We support messaging from UK mobile numbers only (which does not include messages sent from landlines, international mobile numbers and some 'number masking' mobile apps). Prevent our service from sending messages to you by texting STOP to our number. Messages are charged at your usual rate.

Social Media

Each locality within Staffordshire has an active Facebook page, where we share evidence based health information and resources for your local area. Our Community Development Practitioners also run the Instagram and Twitter accounts, why not give them a follow? See the map below for the page names and handles.

Virtual Breastfeeding Support

We're offering weekly virtual breastfeeding groups, where we can share information, answer your questions and give you the chance to meet other new parents too.

Our virtual groups are open to pregnant and breastfeeding mums living in Staffordshire.

To attend the virtual session you'll need to register first to receive a joining link. The groups are delivered over Microsoft Teams, but you won't need any special equipment or to download any apps, just a smartphone, tablet or laptop and a valid email address. To ensure your safety we'll need to check the NHS number of either you or your baby. It would be really helpful if you could have that to hand and add it to your email.

Virtual Breastfeeding support - Tuesday 1.30pm - 2.30pm
For more information and to book a place email:
InfantFeedingAdminTeam@mpft.nhs.uk

Before your baby is born

Antenatal Contact

In addition to the care and support from your Midwives, all pregnant women will be contacted and offered a visit from a member of a Health Visiting team after 28 weeks of pregnancy. You will be given information about our service, including how and when to contact us.You will have the chance to discuss your feelings about becoming a parent, any concerns you may have and to ask any questions. You will be offered health promotion advice to help you and your unborn baby stay healthy, including infant feeding, diet and safe sleep.

Your child 0-5

New Birth Visit

A Health Visitor will visit you and your family at home, usually when your new baby is between 10-14 days old. This visit gives you the chance to discuss any concerns about the health and well-being of yourself, your new baby or the rest of the family. You will be able to ask for any advice and discuss any worries you may have.

Well Baby Clinic

Well baby clinics are weekly drop in clinics where you can bring your baby or child to be weighed or ask questions about your own or your baby's health. Please do not bring your baby or child to this clinic if they are unwell.

6 week review

This review is usually done by your Health Visitor in a clinic (before you have a check with your doctor at 8 weeks). This is a chance to discuss any worries, even minor things. Your baby's weight, health, growth and development will be reviewed with you. You will be offered a bookstart pack to encourage reading with your baby. You will be asked about your emotional wellbeing and if you feel you need any additional support.

3-4 month contact

This review is usually done in a clinic and gives you the opportunity to discuss any worries and have your baby weighed. We will give you information about introducing solid foods so you are prepared for when your baby is ready.

9-12 month development review

Between nine and twelve months your baby's general health and development will be reviewed with you by a member of the health visiting team. You will be able to have your baby weighed and measured.

This is a chance to talk about your baby, their health and general behaviour and discuss any worries. You will be sent a questionnaire prior to the appointment which allows you to try out some activities with your baby at home, where they are comfortable and in familiar surroundings. Your Health Visitor will go through this questionnaire at your appointment; it is just a guide and it is not expected that your child will be able to do all the things on the questionnaire.

Some things you may want to discuss when you go for the review include:

How you are feeling yourself

Your baby's feeding, sleep, and/or behaviour

Your baby's weight

Is your baby sitting alone?

Does your baby babble (ba-ba, da-da, etc)?

Your baby's eyesight and hearing

Your child's immunisations

Your baby's teeth

Switching from bottle to cup

Getting rid of dummies

Accident prevention

Childcare / going back to work or training

24-30 month development review

Your child's progress will be reviewed at around 2 - 2½ years by a member of the health visiting team. This is a chance to talk about your child, their health and general behaviour and discuss any worries you may have, for example:

Speech and language development

Behaviour

Toilet training

Home safety

Brushing your child's teeth / registering with a dentist

Immunisations.

Getting ready for nursery

You will be sent a questionnaire prior to the appointment as with the 9-12 month development review, and again, this is just a guide and it is not expected that your child will be able to do all the things on the questionnaire.
Remember; if you are worried about your child's behaviour, health, growth or development you can contact your Health Visitor at any time through your local Hub or Chat Health.

Your school aged child (5-19)

4-5 years reception questionnaire

During your child's Reception year, we will send you a letter which contains a link to a health questionnaire for you to complete on your child's behalf. This will allow us to understand any needs you and your child may have now they have started to school.

The National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP)

This programme is delivered within school and aims to weigh and measure all children in England in Reception and Year 6.

You will be sent a letter and information about the programme when your child's class is due to take part. You are given the option of opting out of this programme if you wish.

All parents/carers will be informed of the results of their child's measurements by post within six weeks of the measurement date.

Young people's high school drop in's (11-19 years)

Young people are invited to drop-in clinics at their school to discuss any concerns with their school nurse*. The nurse can provide confidential advice and support around issues including:

Health promotion & education

Health Screening and assessment

Healthy eating and weight management

Emotional wellbeing support

Bedwetting (enuresis)

Referrals to other services

Signposting for sexual health and stop smoking

Safeguarding

*The School Nurse must have parental consent to see children

Community School Nurse Drop-in Clinics

Parents and carers of children aged 5-19 are invited to attend local community drop ins, where you can speak to your child's school nurse about your childs health. A Community Drop-in is an open access, conidential service that provides parents with the opportunity to "drop-in" without an appointment to discuss any aspects of your child's health or wellbeing with a member of the Team.

Young people who are not attending school can also attend these clinics.

(covering East Staffs, Cannock, Lichfield, Rugeley, Tamworth)

0300 303 3924

Chat Health Text Messaging Service

Parents/Carers text: 07520 615722

For young people living in Staffordshire, text 07520 615721

(covering Moorlands, Newcastle, Seisdon, Stafford, Stone)

0300 303 3923

Chat Health Text Messaging Service

Parents/Carers text: 07520 615722

For young people living in Staffordshire, text 07520 615721

(covering all localities in Stoke-on-Trent)

0300 404 2993

Chat Health Text Messaging Service

Parents/Carers text: 07312 277161

For young people living in Stoke-on-Trent, text: 07520 615723

Return to header

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Skip to main content Skip to accessibility tools All families in Staffordshire will be offered an antenatal contact from the Health Visiting team, a new birth visit at home, and a 6 week, 9-12 months, and 2 to 2 and a half year development review.

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Winston’s Wish supports bereaved children, young people, their families and the professionals who support them.

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Winston's Wish is the UK's childhood bereavement charity. We support children and their families after the death of someone important.

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Child Bereavement UK supports children and young people (up to age 25), parents and families to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies.

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We help children, young people, parents, and families to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies.

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Cannock Chase Children’s Centre | Staffordshire Connects

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All of our Staffordshire Children’s Centres carry a COVID Secure Certification. We have a robust risk assessment in place and monitor the CO2 levels within our centres when in use. If you have any questions, or worried about attending then please contact us to discuss your concerns.   The pur…

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We lead the healthy child programme for all children aged 0-5 years, delivering this in partnership with other services. We aim to support all families with a child from birth to the age of 5 years. We work with families to ensure that they know where they can access help and support in relation to children's health needs.

Who can use the service?

Anyone with a child aged between 0-5 years can access the health visiting service and the best way to do this is via your local health visiting hub.

For contact information see our web page where you will find the phone numbers.

Are there any costs?

There are no costs to the service users for using the health visiting service as this is funded by the Local Authority

How do I refer?

You can refer yourself by phoning our hub number. All families are offered a contact with a health visitor when their baby is between 10-14 days old, and at other key times.

What happens after referral?

If you contact our hubs they will support you or tell you if another service is more appropriate to support you, and if so where to contact. In some instances they might refer to your local health visiting team when they feel this is needed.

Who will we see?

If you need to have support from the health visiting service, who you will see from the team will depend on who is best placed to support the need that you have. Within our health visiting team we have health visitors, staff nurses, nursery nurses and support workers.

What happens when I come to the service?

Everyone with a child aged 0-5 years has a health visitor and everyone gets the contacts that are mandated in the healthy child programme.

We will always look at what you need from the service and aim to support you with the needs you have.

What happens when my child is over 5?

We have recently integrated our service with the school nursing service to provide a new 0-19 years' service.

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We lead the healthy child programme for all children aged 0-5 years, delivering this in partnership with other services. We aim to support all families with a child from birth to the age of 5 years. We work with families to ensure that they know where they can access help and support in relation to children's health needs.

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SENDIASS SEND IASS - Staffordshire Family Partnership

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We are Staffordshire’s Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Service and provide free, impartial, confidential advice and support around Education, Health and Social Care.

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The five years between birth and school are vital for a child's development. What goes on inside a family strongly determines the opportunities and life chances children have.

Children who are raised in a stable, loving, family environment are more likely to have a positive and healthy future. SCTSP (Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Support Project) will offer help to families with young children deal with the challenges they face. They support parents as they learn to cope, improve their confidence and build better lives for their children as all children deserve the best start in life.

SCTSP deliver a variety of services to support families these are:

Referral based family support

This service is provided for families resident within the Cannock borough with at least one child aged 0-5 years. Generally the support is provided in the home, although Family Support can be provided in group sessions, for example parenting classes.

Families maybe struggling with post-natal depression, isolation, physical health problems, bereavement and many other issues receive the support of a volunteer who will spend around two hours a week in a family's home supporting them in the ways they need.

Proactive home visits

Two Proactive Home Visits are provided or eligible families when their children are 5-8 months and 13-22 months. These visits are to provide information, advice and guidance and any help that is needed to access services.

Bookstart

This is a learning and literacy programme for babies and children and is designed to encourage parents to share stories and rhymes with their children, especially those who, through lack of confidence or other reasons, find it difficult to read with their child/children.

Contact us

To find out more about what SCTSP can do to support you contact them on 01902 424147 or email sutinder.herian@sctsp.org.uk

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The five years between birth and school are vital for a child's development. What goes on inside a family strongly determines the opportunities and life chances children have. Children who are raised in a stable, loving, family environment are more likely to have a positive and healthy future.

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Graduated response toolkit: guidance for early years settings - Staffordshire County Council

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Graduated response toolkit guidance for schools.

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30 hours

Working parents in Staffordshire could receive 30 hours a week of funded childcare for their 3 and 4 year old children.

ADN/AEN

Additional District Needs (previously known as Additional Educational Needs). School-based funding to provide additional adult support to a named child (see also SEND Inclusion funding)

AOT

Autism Outreach Team. Work in schools and PVIs to support staff working with children with Autism

ASD/ ASC

Autistic Spectrum Disorders/Condition. ASD include conditions such as autism and Asperger syndrome.

ASQ

Ages & Stages Questionnaires®, Third Edition (ASQ-3™); tools used to assess the development of a child to screen children for developmental delays between one month and 5½ years.

BCH

Birmingham Children's Hospital

BESD

Behaviour, Emotional and Social Difficulties. Now referred to as SEMH (social, emotional and mental health)

BRFC

Building Resilient Families and Communities. Staffordshire's version of the Troubled Families Programme designed to improve multi-agency responses to the needs of families/household where individuals are experiencing a range of difficulties share an address.

CAF

Common Assessment Framework. Now known as Early Help

CAMHS

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service: a support service for young people aged 18 and under. They offer support and advice for a wide range of emotional difficulties that young people may experience.

CDC

Child Development Centre: a health assessment centre which provides both initial outpatient assessment and continuing treatment and support for children.

CIC

Children in Care - different term for looked after children. See LAC.

CIN

Child in Need: A CIN Plan is drawn up following an assessment which identifies the child as having complex needs and where a coordinated response is needed in order that the child's needs can be met.

CLLD

Communication, Literacy & Language Development- used in reference to early years teaching to improve competence in communicating, speaking and listening, and beginning to read and write.

CPP

Child Protection Plan: a plan drawn up by the local authority. It sets out how the child can be kept safe, how things can be made better for the family and what support they will need.

CSW

Communication Support Worker (usually for children with visual or hearing impairments)

CYP

Children and Young People - general term used to cover everyone from birth to 25.

DAF

Disability Access Fund, £615 available to the settings of three-year olds receiving DLA to reduce barriers to inclusion

DLA

Disability Living Allowance for children may help with the extra costs of looking after a child who is under 16 and has difficulties walking or needs much more looking after than a child of the same age who does not have a disability

DLD

Developmental Language Disorder, previously known as Specific Language Disorder

EAL

English as an additional language - term used to describe anyone where English is not their first language.

Early Years Area SENCOs

Specialist Teacher Consultants who support PVI's to meet the needs of children with SEND.

EEF

Early Education Funding: Childcare entitlement, including Think2 and universal funding

Early Help Assessment, EHA

A standardised approach to conducting an assessment of a child or young person presenting with additional needs and agreeing how those needs can best be met. Previously known as CAF

EHA

The early help assessment (formerly known as the Staffordshire common assessment form or Staffordshire CAF) is a universal tool for practitioners from any service. It can be used with the child or young person and their family to summarise and clearly record current circumstances including areas of need and of strength. This then forms the basis for an agreed way to work together to achieve the improvements in the life of that child and family.

EHCP

Education, Health and Care Plan. Previously known as a statement of SEN

EHE

Elective Home Education. is the term used by the Department for Education to describe parents' decisions to provide education for their children at home instead of sending them to school, once they are of statutory school age. This is totally different to home tuition a term used to describe the situation when the Local Authority (LA) provides a teacher to educate a child in their home.

EI Place

Early Intervention Place. Places available at special schools whilst an EHC assessment is ongoing, for children who meet criteria

Entrust

A joint venture with SCC and Capita providing educational services to Schools and PVIs.

EOTAS

Educated Other Than At school

EP

Educational Psychologist - EPs focus on supporting schools and families to meet the needs of children with additional or special needs.

EWO

Education Welfare Officer. Involved with children of statutory school age

EYF

Early Years Forums - group responsible for monitoring the needs of pre-school children with special educational needs in Staffordshire

EYFS

Early Years Foundation Stage- a comprehensive statutory framework that sets the standards for the learning, development and care of children from birth to five.

EYPP

Early Years Pupil Premium. Additional funding available to pre-school settings to support the development of children where the parents is in receipt of certain benefits or if the child has been in local authority care for 1 day or more in England or Wales or are adopted.

FF

Families First, part of Staffordshire County Council. Ensures that the needs of children, young people and families across Staffordshire are identified early, the right help is put in place and problems are stopped from getting worse.

FIS

Family Information Service - a free individually tailored service offering independent quality information on any family matter.

GP

General Practitioner - a medical doctor who attends to the everyday medical needs of individuals within a community, often in a surgery or home visits.

Griffiths

GRIFFITHS III, Griffiths Scales of Child Development, Third Edition Assessment of developmental levels from birth to 6 years (72 months).

GRT

Gypsy Roma Traveller

HI

Hearing Impairment or Hearing Impaired Service

IEP

Individual Education Plan, used by settings to plan interventions and teaching. Now often referred to as a targeted plan

IF

Independent Futures - social care service for children and adults with learning disabilities

LA

Local Authority - has responsibility for education within its boundaries.

LAC

Looked After Children - children and young people who are looked after by the local authority.

Local Offer

Information about services and resources available to Staffordshire children and families

LST

Local support teams are part of Staffordshire's social care and work with children and young people with a disability or additional need and their families.

MEAS

Minority Ethnic Achievement Service. The service aims to help schools by supporting the inclusion of minority ethnic pupils, promoting diversity, preventing discriminatory incidents, supporting new arrivals with English as an additional language (EAL) to make progress, monitoring the attainment of new arrivals with EAL, implementing best practice for newly arrived EAL learners

NEF

Nursery Education Funding (previously known as nursery education grant, NEG) and now referred to as universal funding as part of EEF.

OT

Occupational Therapist. Occupational therapy enables of children who have either a physical disability or a motor coordination difficultyto participate in daily life to improve their health and wellbeing.

PECS

Picture Exchange Communication System. PECS is an alternative/augmentative communication system developed in the USA in 1985 by Andy Bondy, and Lori Frost

PEEP

Parents Early Education Partnership - parent training

PEP (also EYPEP)

(Early Years) Personal Education Plan - a plan which supports looked after children to do well at school.

Physio

Physiotherapist: provide specialist assessment and a range of interventions to enable children with physical difficulties to reach their potential. This may be required during and following illness, surgery, disease, disability or injury.

PIP charts

PIP Developmental charts. Assessment tool developed by Dorothy Jeffree and Roy McConkey

PVI

Private, Voluntary and Independent Sector - non statutory providers of nursery education.

SEMH

Social, Emotional and Mental Health

SEND

Special Education Needs and Disability - when a child has a learning difficulty which calls for special educational provision to be made for him or her. Often also written/spoken of as SEN

SEND COP

Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice

SEND Locality Manager

Manage the assessment and coordination of education, health and care plans. Previously known as District Senior Assessment Officers

SEND Key worker

Coordination the compilation of education, health and care plans. Previously known as assessment team caseworkers

SENCO

Special Educational Needs Coordinator, manage the provision for children with SEND in their setting/school

SEND Inclusion Fund

Additional support available to pre-school settings to meet the needs of children who meet criteria. Described as tiers 1, 2 and 3

SENDIST

Special Educational Needs and Disability tribunal: First-tier tribunal responsible for handling appeals against local authority decisions regarding special educational needs

SENDIASS

Staffordshire Family Partnership, providing an impartial and confidential service on matters relating to a child or young person's special educational needs or disability from birth to 25 years. The Information, Advice and Support Service for Staffordshire.

SLCN

Speech, Language and Communication Needs - difficulty in communication.

SLI

Specific Language Impairment. Now knows as DCD, Developmental Communication Disorder

SLT (SaLT)

Speech and Language Therapist- assess and treat speech, language and communication problems in people of all ages to enable them to communicate to the best of their ability. They may also work with people who have eating and swallowing problems.

SOGS

Schedule of Growing Skills - assessment of developmental levels from ages from birth to 5 years.

SPA

Single Point of Access - collects information, agrees to initiate Education, Health and Care assessments and agrees additional funding for children without EHCs

Statutory school age

1. Children must start full-time education once they reach compulsory school age. This is on 31 December, 31 March or 31 August following their fifth birthday - whichever comes first. If the child's fifth birthday is on one of those dates then they reach compulsory school age on that date.

TAC

Team Around the Child - a multi-disciplinary team of practitioners established on a case-by-case basis to support a child, young person or family by assessing their needs and deciding with the child/family a course of action to provide the services needed.

Think2

Free childcare (up to 15 hours) for children who meet certain criteria from the term after their 2 nd birthday until the term after their 3 rd birthday

TOVI

Teacher of the Visually Impaired

Triple P

Promoting Positive Parenting - a multi-level, evidence-based parenting and family support strategy

Universal Funding

All 3- and 4-year olds are entitled to 15 hours per week of funded places from the term after turning 3 years old

VI

Visual Impairment or Visual Impairment Service

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30 hours Working parents in Staffordshire could receive 30 hours a week of funded childcare for their 3 and 4 year old children. ADN/AEN Additional District Needs (previously known as Additional Educational Needs). School-based funding to provide additional adult support to a named child (see also SEND Inclusion funding) AOT Autism Outreach Team.

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Welcome to the Health Visiting and School Nursing services for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.

Our Health Visitors and School Nurses are qualified nurses or midwives who have completed extra training, including child development and health improvement, to become Specialist Community Public Health Nurses.

Our Health Visiting and School Nursing teams are here to support parents, carers and young people to be healthy. We provide advice and support right through from pregnancy up until a child is 19. All families will be offered a number of routine contacts, plus extra visits where needed.

You can find lots of useful information and how to contact us here. Please see the links below for more details on the services provided in your area.

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Health Visiting and School Nursing :: Midlands Partnership Foundation Trust

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Welcome to the Health Visiting and School Nursing services for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. Our Health Visitors and School Nurses are qualified nurses or midwives who have completed extra training, including child development and health improvement, to become Specialist Community Public Health Nurses.

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We’re here to help you with the best possible guidance for your child.