Families welcome new children and young people’s learning disabilities team
Families of children with learning disabilities have a new support from the NHS in Blackpool.
A newly established team of healthcare professionals, led by operational manager Cathy Charlton, opened in September.
They offer specialist assessment, support, group sessions and advice to children and young people with learning disabilities up to the age of 18 which can be on a variety of physical, emotional, and behavioural health issues.
The team also ensures transition to the Adult Learning Disability Team to support them “transition to adult services when they’re most at risk of losing touch with the support available to them”.
Cathy added: “It’s important to us to build good partnerships and integrate with other services across health, education and social care to the holistic needs of our families.”
The team’s Tuesday drop-in at Revoe Family Hub in Grasmere Road, Blackpool, is an increasingly popular weekly destination for families from 9.30am to midday for support, advice, and signposting to services. Everyone is welcome and no referral or diagnosis is needed.
Team leader Sarah Solman said: “Parents really appreciate a listening ear and having somewhere to explore their feelings. It was especially difficult for some of these families during Covid who sometimes haven’t been able to get the help they need.”
Referral should be made using the CYP Learning disability referral form and emailed to bfwh.cypld@nhs.net.