Health support services
Your child's health needs will usually be met by everyday services; including GPs, dentists, opticians and the health visiting service.
When extra support is needed for more complex needs, your child may get specialist support. Your child's GP, dentist, health visitor or early education provider can refer them for this.
Children and Family Health Surrey
This is the Surrey-wide NHS community health service for children and young people from birth to 19 years old and their parents/carers. It offers advice and information on medical issues as well as running children's immunisation services. Families can call the health Advice Line on 01883 340922 for support on all aspects of child health, development and parenting.
The Children and Family Health Surrey website has specific advice, tips and information on a range of topics including, sleep, behaviour, eating and using the toilet independently.
Physiotherapy service
The physiotherapy service provides assessment, therapy and advice for children and young people with physical difficulties from birth to 19 years old. The team work closely with your child, family, other professionals and nurseries/schools to maximise your child's physical potential and independence.
Visit the Children and Family Health Surrey Therapies page to find physiotherapy advice sheets, apps, videos and links.
Occupational Therapy service
The Occupational Therapy service provide assessment, therapy and advice for children to be able to participate in daily life. Daily life is made up of many activities (or occupations). Occupations for children or young people may include self-care (getting ready to go out, eating a meal, using the toilet), being productive (going to nursery or school, or volunteering), and leisure (playing with friends or doing hobbies). The service is delivered in a range of settings which includes early year's settings, family centres, the home environment and on a clinic or hospital site.
Visit the Children and Family Health Surrey occupational therapy page to find occupational therapy advice sheets, apps, videos and links. The Occupational Therapy Helpline is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1pm to 4pm on 01932 558570.
The Speech and Language Therapy service
The Speech and Language Therapy service provides assessment, therapy and advice for children who have not yet started school and have speech, language and communication needs. The service sees children in community clinics, homes and early years settings including family centres. The team have a strong focus on working in partnership with parents and educational settings to maximise children's progress.
Visit the Children and Family Health Surrey Speech and Language Therapy page to find speech and language advice sheets, apps, videos and links.
The Health Visiting Service
The Health Visiting team supports you and your family from the birth of your baby, to when your child starts school.
Health visitors are registered nurses who have completed additional, specialist training in public health. They work alongside general practitioners (GPs), midwives, nurseries, schools, and voluntary organisations. The team also supports families where there are additional health, emotional or social needs.
If you are unsure who your health visitor is you can contact the Advice Line on 01883 340 922 for support on all aspects of child health, development and parenting.
Visit the Children and Family Health Surrey health visiting page to find health visiting advice and information.
Community nurses
Children's community nurses provide specialist nursing care to children from birth to 18 years old in their own homes so they can avoid or shorten hospital admissions. The care is designed specifically to fit the needs of each child.
Developmental Paediatricians
The Developmental Paediatric Service is led by consultants and assesses babies, children and young people experiencing a wide range of developmental difficulties related to:
- Developmental delay or disorder
- Neurological disability
- Autism for children under 6 years old
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) for children under 6 years old
- Cerebral palsy
- Severe learning difficulties (SLD) and/or complex needs
The assessments focus on physical, sensory, social and emotional development and any recommended interventions are discussed and agreed with the family.
The Developmental Paediatric Service works closely with other professionals, such as therapists, nurses, early years practitioners and social workers to ensure a cohesive and joined-up approach is in place for the child/young person.
You can find out more by visiting the Children and Family Health Surrey website.
Continuing Health Care
Children's Continuing Health Care is care arranged and funded by the NHS outside hospital for babies and children who have ongoing healthcare needs. This is usually because they have a complex medical condition that requires a lot of care and support, or because they need highly specialised nursing support.
Further information can be found on the Continuing Health page of the Surrey County Council website.
Individual Healthcare Plans (IHP)
Most children with a medical need will not require an Individual Health Care Plan (IHP). They are usually only necessary for children with complex medical needs. Common medical needs that may require an IHP are asthma, epilepsy, diabetes and allergies, but there are many other conditions where a child may require a plan.
The IHP details a child's medical needs and how they should be treated. This ensures early education providers know what needs to be done, when and who is involved. It specifies the support a child needs to join in fully in early years education. It includes what medicines the early education provider can give to the child, and what to do in a medical emergency. IHPs should be reviewed at least once a year, or if there is a change to a child's needs or medication.