The Child Development Team was set up for the diagnosis, assessment and ongoing management of any child who may have a disability or developmental problems. Staff work within the principles of ‘early support’ offering a multi-disciplinary assessment of children, with actual or potential developmental difficulties, to determine the nature and extent of a child’s problems. The team then drafts a care plan. Depending on the circumstances, ongoing treatment and management will be offered from within the Child Development Team or by referral to other agencies in response to your child’s needs.
It is crucial to our philosophy that the child’s whole environment is considered, including their gender, language and heritage. Parents/carers knowledge and skills about their child’s strengths and needs are acknowledged in determining the best support for the child and family.
The child development service works as a multi-disciplinary team and is comprised of Community Paediatricians specialising in child development, a specialist health visitor and a full range of children’s therapy and support services, which include –
- Child Psychotherapist
- Clinical psychologist
- Early Support Programme
- Educational psychology
- Nursery Nurses
- Occupational therapy
- Orthoptist
- Physiotherapy
- Portage
- Specialist nurses and nursery nurses
- Speech and language therapy
We work closely with Education, Social Services, Voluntary organisations such as Hamara and Mencap.
Children are referred to the Child Development Team by a wide range of professionals, especially GPs and health visitors, and also nurseries and schools, children’s centre staff, Social Services or other agencies involved with children.
Parents and carers can also self-refer but it is usually helpful if referrals are made by a professional as they may be able to assess what services your child needs.
Specialist Clinics
Within the Child Development Team we have specialist clinics such as:
- Visual impairment clinic
- Complex disability clinic
- Nutrition clinic
- Genetics clinic
- Dental Screening clinic
Play groups at the Wood Street Health Centre
Specialist Nursery Nurses' lead playgroups, during the week.
Free Play Therapy Sessions
These sessions are currently held on Wednesdays between 10am-12noon or 2pm-4pm, and on Thursdays 10am-12noon and 2pm-4pm. Any child that has been referred to the centre can attend, along with their siblings, for play therapy. Two specialist nursery nurses work together to provide suitable play activities and experiences. It is also an opportunity for parents to meet and support each other.
Sparklers Group
Teachers for the visually impaired at the Joseph Clarke School, lead the group providing themed play input and resources. The group provides play and activities for children who have variety of visual impairments as well as support for their parents.
Sparklers sessions are held twice a month. The first session is held on the second Monday of the month from 1pm-3pm at the Wood Street Health Centre and the second session held on the fourth Monday of the month at Joseph Clarke School Sensory Unit at 1.30pm-2.30pm.
Fun and Movement Group
This group is provided for children affected by Down’s syndrome. In theses sessions all the relevant disciplines that are involved with their care are present. They provide both therapy and support. These sessions take place on the second Tuesday of each month between 9.30am-11.30am. Attendance is by invitation.
If you need more information about these groups please contact the Specialist Health Visitor on telephone 020 8430 7890.
Other services provided by the Child Development Team in collaboration with its partners are -
Benefits advice sessions
DIAL Waltham Forest - provides session once a month at the Wood Street Health Centre on the last Thursday of the month. They also offer a drop in session o the last Wednesday of the month to complete benefit forms and advice regarding eligibility and support for care.
Waltham Forest Carers Association – provides session on benefits advice at the Wood Street Health Centre on the last Thursday of the month.
Contact us
Child Development Team
Specialist Children's Service
The Wood Street Health Centre
6 Linford Road
Walthamstow E17 3LA
Tel: 020 8430 7890
