A child who:

• has a medical diagnosis/ Special Educational Needs or Disability that may affect their learning
   
• is displaying significant developmental delay compared to their peers including complex health needs
   
• may need to be considered for an assessment for autism spectrum disorder
   
• is in a setting or mainstream school that has been identified as having complex needs and may benefit from specialist advice
   
• must be aged 5 and under and be a resident of Wolverhampton and registered with a Wolverhampton GP.

The service will communicate with other local authorities/health services when a family moves from or into Wolverhampton

• Professionals can make direct referrals to individual health services or make a referral to the Child Development Multi-Agency Referral Panel.
   
• All referrals must have parents'/carers' consent.
   
• Parents can refer but are advised to seek support and referral from their GP/Health Visitor or setting, who can make the referral on their behalf.

Here you can find the Multi Agency Referral Form.

The appropriate referral form must be completed and signed by parents.  Copies of Action Plans and evidence of graduated approach at this point need to be attached to the referral.

Nursery settings, children’s centres and schools often identify concerns regarding the development of a child they are working with. 

After following the process of assessment, planning and implementation of support (as set out in the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice) they may find that their review of the child’s progress continues to give significant cause for concern. 

A referral is then made to the Early Years Multi-Agency Referral Panel including detailed information about the concerns so that the appropriate services can become involved.  

Other professionals, such as Family Support Workers, will have completed their own professional assessments of a child’s circumstances which support a referral to the CDS.

Referral by health professional are recorded as informing the Local authority of a child with additional needs under their duty within the Code of Practice.

Health visitors will refer children into panel using the Ages and Stages assessment profile additional information alongside regarding this the child is required. Any referral from a health visitor or a therapist of a child in a setting should be accompanied by the settings evidence of graduated approach.

• Both Special Needs Early Years and Child Development clinic referrals are checked for parental permission and that qualitative evidence has been provided. At times referrals are sent back for further evidence. 
   
• A referral list is circulated every three weeks.  This list will contain contact details about the new referrals and is circulated to those people who attend the Multi-Agency 0 – 5 referral group.
   
• Once the list has been circulated, all the members of the panel will check if their service is involved and bring the relevant information to the panel.

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. 

Here you will find the latest dates of the Multi-Agency Referral Panel.

• The panel discusses each referral and will determine appropriate agencies involvement.
   
• Referrals to health services would be seen within the 18-week pathway although a child would be prioritised and seen urgently if a potential urgent health need is identified.
   
• Services may be requested to accept a referral based on the discussion to ensure a seamless provision is made for the child and family.