Local authority provision for 7 SEND conditions

Local authority services that support children with SEND‑related health needs.

Part of

Health services for children and young people

 There is a range of universal, targeted and specialist support in our borough to help your child with: 

  • ADHD
  • Autism
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Down syndrome
  • Epilepsy
  • Hearing impairments
  • Visual impairments 

ADHD 

ADHD can only be diagnosed by a psychiatrist. Usually, the psychiatrist is working as part of the local child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) team.  

If you, or your child’s school, suspects your child has ADHD, they will be referred to the child and adolescent mental health services for assessment.  

Because Autism and ADHD often occur together, as part of the referral, you and your child’s school will be asked to complete the following screening tests:  

  • Swanson, Nolan and Pelham screening for ADHD (SNAP)
  • Childhood Autism Syndrome Test (CAST) 

If your child is diagnosed with ADHD, you should try to understand as much as you can about the condition to:  

  • help support your child's ability to focus
  • support their organisation skills 

A CAMHS professional will talk to you about:  

  • ways to support your child
  • possible medications
  • attention control at school or at home  

After diagnosis, it is important to let your child's school know that this diagnosis has been given, so they can talk with you and your child about how best to support you both.  

ADHD UK has further information on ADHD.

Autism spectrum condition 

If you are worried that your child aged under five is showing signs of autism, speak to your GP, health visitor or school nurse. Sharing your concerns with your child's nursery or school can also be helpful. 

Your nursery or health visitor may complete a social communication questionnaire with you and then refer you to the Social Communication clinic at Wood Street Health Centre. 

If your child is over 5, their school can refer them to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) to assess how your child:  

  • is doing at school
  • relates to other children 

CAMHS may also ask for reports from professionals working with your child such as an Educational Psychologist or SENCO. 

Cerebral Palsy 

Wood Street Health Centre runs playgroup sessions for children with complex needs such as cerebral palsy.  

Telephone: 020 8430 7787 or email: WFCDCNursing@nelft.nhs.uk 

Flourish Advisory Teachers, based at Whitefield School also run a playgroup for children with cerebral palsy. 

Useful links 

Various organisations can provide you with advice and support: 

Down Syndrome 

People with Down Syndrome may have very few additional health problems, but might need medical support for: 

  • heart disorders like congenital heart disease 
  • hearing or sight problems
  • thyroid problems like an underactive thyroid gland 
  • recurring infections like pneumonia  

If you are worried about your child's health talk to your GP, health visitor, paediatrician, or Flourish Advisory Teachers. 

Local and national groups 

Read more about living with Down syndrome. 

Facebook groups 

Epilepsy 

If your child has a first seizure, it can be distressing for both parents and children. If you have been to the hospital with your child about a seizure, your GP will be told of any hospital care your child needs. 

Your GP may refer your child to a specialist paediatrician. You'll then be invited for an appointment at Wood Street Health Centre.  

Your child may be seen every six months or once a year by the doctors at Wood Street.  The consultant may arrange for your child to be seen by a specialist nurse. 

You should let your child's school, relatives, and family friends know about the seizure and tell them to call 999 if another seizure occurs.  

Your child must go back to their normal hobbies, school, and routines to reduce their stress and any anxiety about the seizure. Any school staff who support your child must be appropriately trained.  

Contact 

Child Development Services 

Wood Street Health Centre 

6 Linford Road 

Walthamstow, E17 3LA 

Telephone 020 8430 7777 

Further information 

Information for carers on the Epilepsy website  

Young epilepsy website 

Hearing impairments 

If you are worried about your child’s hearing, talk to your GP or health visitor, who can make a referral to an audiology clinic. 

If your child does have a loss of hearing, the audiology department will refer your child to the local hearing impairment team. This is called ‘SENDsuccess’ in Waltham Forest. 

A Teacher of the Deaf may visit your child to offer support and advice to you, teachers, and school staff about what will help, which could be: 

  • advice about the diagnosis
  • classroom strategies
  • supporting your child in understanding their hearing needs 

If your baby or child is fitted with hearing aids, specialist teachers from the hearing impairment team will contact you to discuss the diagnosis.

Where to get support 

Many organisations can offer help and advice. 

  • Foresters North East London Deaf Children Society is a charity that was set up in 2016 to support deaf children and their families in Waltham Forest and Redbridge. foresters.neldcs@gmail.com /  www.facebook.com/groups/neldcs
  • National Deaf Children’s Society - NDCS is the leading charity dedicated to creating a world without barriers for deaf children and young people
  • North London Deaf Children’s Society - NLDCS supports families by sharing experiences and knowledge, and runs events and activities for deaf children
  • Cochlear Implanted Children’s Support - CICS is the only national voluntary body which helps profoundly deaf children with cochlear implants and their families
  • Remark is a Deaf-led charity that was set up in 1999. It runs projects for Deaf children including play schemes and youth clubs
  • NGT Lite is an app you can use to call anyone. You can type your message or speak (or have an operator type the message for you)
  • Access to Work is a Government scheme that you can apply to for support at work (i.e. note taker, BSL interpreter, lip speaker, listening equipment 

Visual impairments 

If your child has a significant loss of vision, Wood Street Health Centre staff or your child’s school can refer them to Flourish Specialist Education Services. 

A Qualified Teacher of Visual Impairment (QTVI) may:  

  • visit your child at home or school
  • observe your child’s functional vision
  • assess your child’s clarity of vision, fields of vision and colour perception 

Useful links 

There are many organisations and charities that can help and support with additional needs, activities, or funding of activities/equipment.  

Royal National Institute of Blind People - RNIB is the UK's leading charity for people with vision loss. It has useful information about coming to terms with sight loss. 

Royal Society for Blind Children - RSBC this UK charity offers family support services, health and wellbeing clubs, social and peer group activities and music groups. 

VICTA is a charity that organises activities designed to improve the emotional, social, and living skills of children and young people with vision impairments.