Children's Disability Team

The Children's Disability Team is a social work team that provides a social work offer for children and young people with profound disabilities and complex needs between the ages of 0 and 18 years.  As a team, we work closely with the other children's social care teams and with the wider SEND service in Plymouth.

We recognise that families need extra support from time to time, and the social workers will work in partnership with parents, carers, and young people to offer advice, support, and social work before a situation reaches a crisis point.

We also offer advice to social workers in other children's social care teams who are supporting disabled children and young people and can help with linking in with the wider support services that are available to all children with disabilities.

How we work

The social workers take the lead in coordinating and carrying out assessments of need and formulating care plans that are compliant with all relevant statutory requirements and department policies, standards, and guidelines that promote the well-being and protection of children. One worker is specifically employed to support transitions to adult social care. We assess needs and risks through the completion of recognised assessment tools in accordance with government and local guidance for Children in Need, Children and Young People in Care, and Child Protection.

Where necessary, the social worker will initiate appropriate statutory action to protect children at risk and they hold responsibility for undertaking statutory visits to Children and Young People in care, those subject to a Child Protection plan, and for identifying the permanency needs of children who cannot be cared for at home

We can help children and families by:

• supporting parenting
• helping parents develop the skills and understanding to be more effective in meeting their child's needs and to keep them safe at home
• working with other teams or professionals to coordinate plans
• requesting funding for short breaks or personal care support  (linking with the Short Breaks/AHELP Team)
• arranging alternative care for children whose parents can't care for them
• reviewing complex support packages regularly to make sure support continues to be right for the changing needs of children and families

How to request support

For support and information, contact SEND Access Early Help by emailing AccessEarlyHelp@plymouth.gov.uk

Plymouth City Council's Out of Hours Team can be contacted at 01752 346984.

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