Local Offer - Physical Needs

Everyone needs to see a dentist, even if your mouth doesn’t hurt or you don’t have any teeth. Most children and young people with SEND will be able to access regular NHS general dental services along with the rest of their family. Use the NHS website to find a dentist, if you don't have one.

However, children with greater or more complex needs may need to be referred to the Community Dental Services for their care.

The aim of the Community Dental Services is to provide dental care for those from vulnerable groups whose needs may not be accommodated in NHS general dental services or may require consultant/specialist led care due to the complex dental needs.

Who may be referred to the Community Dental Services?

Children may be referred to the Community Dental Services if they have:

• a moderate or severe chronic mental health condition
• moderate or severe behavioural problems
• a moderate, severe or profound and multiple learning difficulty
• a moderate or severe physical and/or communication disability
• complex medical conditions
• other additional needs such as substance misuse.

Who can refer a child to the Community Dental Services?

The Community Dental Services would accept children into the service following a referral. Referrals are accepted from general dental practitioners and other health professionals for example: GPs, health visitors, social workers, carers, school nurses, paediatricians.

What happens after a referral is made?

Once a child has been referred to the Community Dental Service, they would then carry out a dental assessment and treatment as required. Children who have been referred to the Community Dental Service will usually continue accessing their ongoing dental care through this service. However, some children may only need to see the Community Dental Services for a course of treatment to get them dentally fit. After this, children can see a general dental practitioner for their regular check-ups.

The Children's Community Nursing team are a team of experienced children’s nurses providing nursing care and support to children, young people (0-18 years) and families within the community setting.

They work alongside other professionals and take referrals for children with:

• Short term conditions
• Long term conditions
• Disabilities and complex health needs
• Life limiting and life threatening conditions including those requiring end of life care.

The Children's Continence Service offer advice, assessment and support to children aged 4 years to 19 years with continence issues (bladder and/or bowel problems). Children must be registered with a GP in Doncaster to access this service.

Once you have referred your child into the service, you will be sent some documents to complete. When the documents are completed and sent back to the team, your referral will then be processed.

If your child attends a special school, the first point of contact should be the school nurse who can then refer your child into the Continence Service if they are unable to support you directly.

If a young person continues to require support from the Continence Service, their care will be transferred to the Specialist Continence Service. Transition will start from age 17 years and 9 months for young people who have complex health needs, or 17 years and 11 months for those that don't.

The Children and Young People's Specialist Epilepsy Nursing Service supports children and young people aged 0-19 years who have epilepsy. The service is part of the Community Long Term Conditions Team.

Once a young person reaches 19 years old, their care will be transferred to the Specialist Adult Epilepsy Nursing Service. This service also works with adults aged 18+ years, for new referrals.

Both the children and adult epilepsy services provide support to people with epilepsy to help them manage their condition. This includes regular check-ups to review and assess the person's condition.

Physiotherapists assess and treat children and young people with a wide variety of conditions. These range from neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy, to respiratory conditions including cystic fibrosis, and input following surgery, fractures and soft tissue injuries. Physiotherapy helps with difficulties that affect physical development, walking, movement, balance, coordination and posture; and supports and promotes independence and active lifestyles to improve quality of life.

Input varies from just one appointment to some children being seen for episodes of care throughout their childhood. Children are seen within the hospital setting or within their homes, schools and nurseries.

Occupational Therapy (OT) can help babies, infants, children and young people grow, learn, have fun, socialise and play so they can develop, thrive and reach their full potential. OT’s work with children and young people, aged 0-16 years, who are born with or have experienced either a physical illness, mental illness or injury as inpatients, outpatients and in the community.

Occupational therapists concentrate on enabling children and young people to manage and maintain as much independence as possible within their daily living activities (occupations/function) including self-care, play, leisure and school based skills.

Doncaster Wheelchair and Specialist Seating Service provides manual and powered wheelchairs, buggies and specialist seating services to children and adults with temporary or permanent mobility problems, and/or associated postural needs.

The service can be accessed by children (aged 3+ years) and adults in Doncaster who have a permanent disability which affects their mobility.

Services users will have an assessment to determine what mobility aids/equipment is needed. The assessment will give consideration the lifestyle, medical conditions, and on-going needs of the individual, to determine the most appropriate aids/equipment.