Wolverhampton's Child Development Service Pathway

Wolverhampton's Child Development Service Pathway

The Wolverhampton's Child Development Service Pathway, outlines the process for assessing and supporting children through the local child development services. It begins with a referral stage, where children can be referred by various professionals such as school staff, early years settings, therapists, health visitors, or parents.

Once a referral is received, it goes to the Child Development Multi-Agency Referral Panel, which reviews and actions it within a month. From there, the pathway may lead to a Joint Assessment Clinic, where a team including a Community Paediatrician, specialist teacher, speech and language therapist, and physiotherapist conduct an initial assessment.

Depending on the outcome, the child may be directed to:

  • Special Needs Early Years Service for further assessment,
  • No Further Action, with recommendations and signposting,
  • or into an APDR cycle (Assess, Plan, Do, Review), where an Early Support Plan is agreed for ongoing support.

The pathway is designed to be used alongside the SEND Health Pathway and the under-5s Autism Diagnostic Pathway.

About

Wolverhampton Child Development Service (CDS) offers support to children from birth to 5 years old who need extra help with their development. 

The service works closely with universal services across the city such as GP’s, health visitors, nurseries to identify any concerns early. They offer support and care for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), helping them thrive and achieve the best possible outcomes for the future.

The team work closely with families to create an individual programme of assessment, diagnosis, care and support to meet the needs of each child through a coordinated approach.

What we do

We understand that having your child referred with additional needs can be a difficult and demanding time. 

Based at The Gem Centre, our team works together so that support and advice is joined up and coordinated. Our aim is to offer a caring and family-focused service that puts your child’s needs at the heart of everything we do. 

Our Service includes:

  • Specialist early identification, intervention, specialist assessment and diagnosis
  • Tailored therapy and teaching programmes
  • Support and guidance to parents on all aspects of their child’s development, progress and future planning
  • Advice and contribution for Education, Health and Care plans (EHCP) when required
  • Transition and access help for nursery and school placements, ensure all reasonable adjustments that are necessary are in place to overcome any barriers to participation
  • Home visits, setting support and text service
  • Team Around the Child (TAC) meetings families receive a coordinated approach to meet their child’s needs with combined goals noted
  • Collaboration with professionals
  • Referrals to other services when required
  • Specialist groups for children in our care

Who works for the service

The team at the Child Development Service includes:

How to access the Child Development Service

All referrals are discussed within the Child Development Multi-Agency Referral Panel meetings. The panel members are representatives from health, education and social care, who meet once a month to co-ordinate which service is best placed to support the individual needs and the most suitable support for the child and family. 

To find out more view Accessing the Child Development Service through the Multi-Agency Referral Panel.

Statutory guidance we follow

Children and Families Act 2014
NICE guidance relating to individual conditions
Children’s Act 2004

Compliments and complaints

In the first instance contact would be made with the Head of Service of the individual service. For further help with this, feedback methods are below:

Contact us

For the Child Development Service contact either:

Name: Lisa Hollingshead 
Telephone: 01902 556517  

Name: Pam Lemm   
Telephone: 01902 446275

Address: The Gem Centre, Neachells Lane, Wednesfield, Wolverhampton, WV11 3PG