Early support for children under 5 with disabilities - Print version

What is Early Support?

The Early Support Team is set up to improve the delivery of services for families of children with disabilities or complex health needs aged 0-5 years and not in full-time education.

The team aims to help deliver coordinated services for parents and carers, achieved by a designated Key Worker working with the family. The role of the Key Worker is to ensure that families receive help, support and information acting as an advocate for the family.

In order for families to access the Early Support Programme and receive Key Worker services, the child would either have a disability or complex health need. It is recognised that not all children with additional needs receive a medical diagnosis. As such, involvement with a child from three health professionals on a basis of high-level intervention (generally taken to be ongoing, with regular therapeutic input), will enable families to receive the service.

What is a Family Key Worker?

A Key Worker is someone you can turn to for help, support and information. The Key Worker would bring together education, social care, health services and the voluntary sector to deliver a co-ordinated response to families. Every family’s needs are different, but your Key Worker could:

• Provide information
• Co-ordinate services/appointments
• Provide emotional support
• Address whole family needs
• Give support in meetings, and act as an advocate for families
• Help your family to get the best from services

This service is available following completion of a referral to the All Age Disability Team (0 -14).