Disabled children

We are a team working with disabled children and their families. The team is made up of different professionals so that we can provide a full range of services to children. We also have someone who works with young people at the point when they transfer from childcare to adult services because we know that this can be a difficult and unsettling time. 

Who can use the service? 

Disabled children (under 18) and their families can contact the team for support. We meet children with their parents or carers to assess their needs and work out with the family which services will be most helpful for them. 

What support is available? 

Following assessment, the team can provide a range of services for disabled children and their families. We have social workers who can help with practical and social issues, a clinical psychologist to provide expert emotional support, and an occupational therapist to help children develop the skills they need to manage everyday tasks. 

If necessary we can also refer families on to other specialist groups in the borough. 

One of the ways we can help families is to provide breaks for parents or carers or to help cover school holidays. We have homes that children can visit during the day or stay overnight. They receive expert care and have the chance to mix with other children and make friends. 

We also run a Shared Care scheme, putting families in touch with volunteer carers and befrienders who look after their children for a few hours a week. 

How do I find out more? 

If you would like be assessed for services please get in touch with the Contact and Assessment service. They can tell you more about the services that are available and will arrange for an assessment to be carried out. 

To find out more about the Contact and assessment team – including contact addresses and phone numbers - please see the Contact and Assessment service page. 

To find out more about how the education department supports children and young people with special needs, see the Education support - special needs page.

Services for disabled children and young people - A guide for families and carers Hammersmith & Fulham Council has recently produced the handbook

‘Services for disabled children and young people – A guide for families and carers’ with help from parents and carers of disabled children and colleagues from education, health and the voluntary sector. 

It is a broad guide to the range of services for disabled children and young people in the borough and contains lots of useful information and advice. 

It is available as a pdf document which can be viewed here. 

You will need a copy of the free Acrobat reader to read the above file.