There are a number of health services designed specifically to support children and young people. If you are worried about the health and wellbeing of your child, you can speak to your early years setting, children’s centre staff, school staff, health visitor or school nurse or your health professional.
If they are unable to help your child themselves, they can make a referral to more specialist health services, such as speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, podiatry.
Designated clinical officer (DCO)
The Designated Clinical Officer (DCO) is an experienced nurse or allied health professional who helps to facilitate the joint working between health, education and social care. The DCO has a central role in contributing to developing and having oversight of activity across the health system to support them to deliver the statutory requirements in meeting the needs of children and young people with SEND.
Advisory role
DCOs have relevant expertise and experience to provide strategic health support and oversight. They advise local SEND partnerships relating to health and SEND including relevant legislation, statutory guidance, tribunal requirements, inspection frameworks and good practice.
Leadership role
DCO contributes to development and implementation of SEND Strategies and is a key component of the SEND leadership structure, at local partnership and Integrated Care Board level. They support workforce development and quality improvement.
Governance role
Oversight and understanding of quality and performance of health services in relation to SEND, and supports conversations relating to the quality assurance of health arrangements for children and young people placed locally, out of borough or placed in alternative provision.
Relationships and connections role
the DCO supports and strengthens the SEND Partnership through developing and maintaining relationships and connections. They connect with all partners including parent carers and other engagement groups to ensure children and parent carer voices are embedded in commissioning, monitoring, and evaluation of services.
Contacts
DCO North (Lancaster and Morecambe, Fylde and Wyre, Blackpool)
Email: bfwh.lcn-tr.dconorth@nhs.net
Complaints
If you have a complaint about NHS services please contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) for the NHS Trust the complaint relates to.
The full complaints policy can be found on the Trusts websites or by requesting a copy from PALS.
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals - Children's services
You can find what health services are available on the BTH childrens services website.
Community physiotherapy and occupational therapy
The community physiotherapy and occupational therapy team work with children with long term and life limiting conditions and mobility problems.
Physiotherapy helps to manage pain and maintain mobility.
Occupational therapy can help you take part in day to day activities such as playing, eating, going to school and continue to grow and develop.
Audiology
Audiology is the science of hearing and vestibular (balance) function. Audiology services provide a range of hearing tests for all ages (from birth upwards) and vestibular (balance) function testing. We also work with individuals giving rehabilitation for hearing difficulties in the form of hearing aids, information and advice, tinnitus management and help with balance problems.
The audiology department at Blackpool Victoria Hospital is located in Area 1 of main outpatients, next to the ear, nose and throat clinic.
Paediatric consultant
A paediatric consultant is a senior doctor who has spent a lot of time studying and working with poorly children. Some consultants have specialist areas, this means that they know and study a lot about a specific illness or condition and are the best people to see patients who have those conditions.
If your child has special educational needs or a disability then they are probably under the care of a paediatrician who will ask to see your child for regular reviews
CAMHS
CAMHS
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) is a is a specialist mental health team that sits within Options4CYP mental health services within Blackpool.
The team is made up of a variety of professionals from a range of disciplines including child and adolescent psychiatrists, mental health and paediatric nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, psychologists, counsellors, support staff and an admin team.
Children’s speech and language therapy (SLT)
The Children’s speech and language therapy (SLT) service is for children with speech, language, communication and/or eating and drinking difficulties.
Speech and language therapists work with children who have difficulties with any aspect of speech, language or communication development. This might include:
- Children who are taking longer than expected to learn to talk
- Children with limited vocabulary, who struggle to form sentences, or who get their words and sentences muddled up
- Children who find it difficult to understand what others are saying.
- Children who struggle to communicate socially with others.
- Children who struggle to say certain sounds or make themselves understood
- Children who stammer
- Children who have problems with their voice
The aim of the speech and language therapist is to help the child or young person to reach their full potential by providing assessment, diagnosis and intervention through programmes of activities, individual or group therapy and advice and support.