Most children and young people get the support they need through schools, health services and community groups. You can read more about what is on offer for children and young people with additional support needs on our SEND Local Offer.
However, sometimes this support is not enough. If you feel your child or young person may need some additional help, Children and Families Newcastle Connect can help you find the right support.
We'll listen to what's going well for your family, understand any concerns you have, and help you access the most appropriate support.
Contact CFN Connect on 0191 277 2500 or complete and enquiry form
Family Help Assessments
Children and young people with disabilities are entitled to an assessment of their needs.
In Newcastle, this is called a Family Help Assessment. It helps us understand:
- your child's strengths, needs and aspirations
- what is important to your family
- the support you already have around you
- any additional help that may improve family life and wellbeing
As part of the assessment, we will also consider the needs of parents and carers. This might include your own assessment called a Parent Carer Needs Assessment.
We know that every family is different. That's why we work with you to build a picture of what support may be most helpful.
A Family Help Assessment is completed by a dedicated Family Help Lead Practitioner. They will work alongside your family throughout the process.
Depending on your child's needs, the assessment may be completed by:
- a local Family Help Team
- the Family Help Additional Support Needs Team
Many children and young people with additional needs receive the support they need through local Family Help Teams. For children and young people with the most complex needs, support may be provided by the Additional Support Needs Team.
Who is the Additional Support Needs Team for?
The Additional Support Needs Team works with children and young people whose disabilities or health needs have a significant impact on their daily lives.
This may include children and young people with:
- significant and lifelong physical disabilities
- severe learning disabilities that have a major impact on communication, behaviour and independence
- autism alongside a learning disability, where this significantly affects day-to-day life
- severe sight or hearing impairment
- complex health needs, life-limiting conditions or life-threatening conditions
- profound and multiple disabilities
A Family Help Assessment will help determine whether this is the most appropriate service for your child and family.
What support might be available?
The support available will depend on your child's individual needs and circumstances.
This may include:
- a Family Help Plan tailored to your family's needs
- support from a Family Help Lead Practitioner
- regular reviews to make sure support continues to meet your family's needs
- Family Network Meetings or Family Group Conferences to help identify support within your wider family and friends network
- advice, guidance and advocacy
- direct support for your child, young person or family
- help accessing services, activities and community support
- support with transitions into Adult Social Care where appropriate
- a Personal Budget, where eligibility criteria are met, to help fund support that promotes independence and wellbeing
- overnight short breaks for some children and young people with the most complex needs
- a Parent Carer Needs Assessment, if this would be helpful
Support can change over time as your child's needs change and develop.
Disabled Children's Register
The Disabled Children's Register helps us understand the needs of disabled children and young people in Newcastle. You don't have to working with the Family Help additional support needs team to join.
The information you share helps us plan and improve services for families. Adding you or your child's details to the register is completely voluntary. If you choose to join we can:
- give you a Max Card (for those aged 17 and under) that gets you discounts in places across the country
- let you know how we used your information every year at our annual parent-carer conference
- send you our newsletter
- update you about new developments in services for disabled children
- let you know ways you can get involved
You can join by completing this online form.
For more information, you email the Disabled Children's Register Team.
Children's occupational therapy
The Children's occupational therapy team can help disabled children be more independent. They work with children aged 0 to 19 on tasks that are challenging for them. You can call them on 0191 282 3452 to find out how they could help.
Moving from children's social care to adult's social care
Some children will still need social care as they become an adult. This means moving from children's social care to adult's social care.
Moving to adult social care usually happens at 18 years old. However, some young people will continue to work with Family Help until they are 25 years old.
Visit Information NOW's page on moving from children's to adult's social care for more details. You can also speak to Adult Social CarePoint to start a conversation about care and support needs.