Community Paediatrics up to the 5th birthday for developmental concerns

Referral guidance

Our services are open to families who live in Norfolk and are registered with a GP within Norwich, South Norfolk (excluding Thetford), North Norfolk and West Norfolk.

This is a pathway for pre-school children who present with:

  • developmental concerns e.g. delayed milestones
  • social communication problems, e.g. suspected Autistic Spectrum Disorder in pre-school children
  • speech and Language problems (only if a speech and language therapist seeks a paediatric medical opinion)

For the above services, please include (where possible) supporting evidence. This can include:

  • Ages and Stages Questionnaire / Schedule of Growing Skills
  • Early Years Observation Questionnaire & Parent/Carer Observation Questionnaire
  • Reports from other professionals (e.g. Speech & Language Therapy, Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist etc.)

Community Paediatrics 0-18 years (complex needs 0-19)

Referral guidance

Our services are open to families who live in Norfolk and are registered with a GP within Norwich, South Norfolk (excluding Thetford), North Norfolk and West Norfolk.

This is a pathway for children who present with:

  • neuro-disability (e.g. cerebral palsy)
  • motor delay
  • chromosomal, metabolic disorders or genetic, inborn or acquired disorders resulting in long term complex needs or disability previously un-investigated learning disability

The service does not accept referrals for the following:

  • Acute medical illness
  • Primary eating disorders e.g. anorexia and bulimia
  • Acute psychiatric or chronic mental health illness
  • Emotional and behaviour problems in children; these should first be reviewed by a health visitor, Early Help, or GP, and offered behavioural strategies, or signposting to local groups, including Supporting Smiles
  • Dyslexia and dyscalculia
  • Sleep difficulties in the absence of a diagnosed neuro-developmental disorder - refer to Sleep East either by email: joybishop@sleepeast.co.uk or 01692 402240. NANSA also offer a sleep service 
  • Long term chronic medical conditions such as epilepsy (unless associated with a secondary condition as described in inclusion criteria)
  • Hearing - refer directly to Audiology NNUH for more information

For the above services, please include (where possible) supporting evidence, this can include:

  • Ages and Stages Questionnaire / Schedule of Growing Skills
  • Observation questionnaires (Parent/Carer, Early Years, Teacher, as appropriate)
  • Reports from other professionals (e.g. Speech & Language Therapy, Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist etc.)

Who do we work with?

We work together combining our assessments to form a whole picture of your child.  We also work closely with other professionals and agencies, including:

  • Therapists - speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists
  • Community nurses, health visitors, school nurses
  • Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
  • Hospital based doctors
  • Social workers
  • Schools
  • Children's charities

How to refer

You can access our service through the GP, Health Visitor, Speech and Language Therapist, or School Nurse.  They will complete a referral form and supporting information may need to be obtained from other providers or agencies, for example school.

The referrals are sent to our Children's Single Point of Referral team, this is a single point of entry to all of NCHC's children's services.  All referrals are triaged weekly by a Community Paediatrician. If the referral is accepted you will receive an acceptance letter, and then an appointment letter with date and time.  It is important to notify the bookings team as soon as possible if you cannot attend.

What to expect at your appointment

Your child will be seen by one of our specialist staff.  The length of the appointment will vary and an estimate will be given in your appointment letter or email.  You are expected to attend the appointment with your child.

  • During the assessment we will talk about your concerns and how your child is managing at home, nursery or school.
  • We will discuss any concerns about behaviour and emotions.
  • We will ask for information about your child's health and development, for example, your child's birth and family situation.
  • The initial assessment may also include a physical examination.
  • We will gain a clearer understanding of your child's strengths and needs

Following the initial appointment

  • During the appointment you may be offered some advice and strategies to help your child and no further appointment will be needed OR
  • We may need to see your child and/or you again for further assessment OR
  • We may need to refer your child to another professional for further assessment, for example a speech and language therapist, physiotherapist or occupational therapist or to another team of professionals.
  • You or your child may be offered support in the form of workshops for parents/carers, group interventions for children or individual work.

We will write to you following your appointment summarising the assessment, our understanding of the difficulties and will include a plan of what will happen next.

Contact

The Single Point of Referral Office
Norwich Community Hospital
Bowthorpe Road,
Norwich
NR2 3TU

Tel: 01603 508 958

Email: childrenscommunityreferrals@nchc.nhs.uk 

For on-line resources to help support your child's neurodevelopment needs see the ND Digital Library for Parents & Carers.

Help us improve our services for children and young people

We're asking young people to talk about what it's like to use our services and share ideas.

Take a look at our leaflet for more information: Young Voices Together leaflet