Children with disabilities and complex needs social work team

We're a specialised team within social care who become involved with families where there's a disabled child with a severe and permanent disability or a child infected or affected by HIV. Our team is made up of Social Workers, Social Worker Assistants, a Communication Specialist, support staff and managers.

What we do

We keep a record of children who have a severe and permanent disability through a Social Services Register. We provide advice, information and sign posting. We carry out assessments, plan services and provide social care support. We work jointly with other professionals in the building in a team around the child approach.

Referrals

Parents can refer themselves by telephone or letter. Professionals can also refer in writing by completing the inter agency referral form.

Assessments

Decide if a case meets the criteria for disability registration if it doesn't advice can be given of other services that might be able to help. Once a Social Worker has been assigned to carry out an assessment, it normally takes 35 days to complete. An assessment usually involves seeing the child at home and often in the Education environment. The Social Worker will look at the childs needs the parent's ability to meet their needs and the environmental factors influencing the child's situation.

Safeguarding children

The team has a legal responsibility to ensure children are kept safe. The team deals with referrals of cases that are already known to us when there are concerns about safeguarding. If you're worried about a child with a disability's safety, call us to discuss further.  

Contact us

Sunshine House
Southwark children and young people's development centre
132 Queens Road
Peckham
London
SE15 2ND

Tel: 0207 525 1921

Page last updated: 18 February 2019