What does the special needs service do?
The special needs service is a lifelong, children and adult, service providing social care and support for people in the community.
The definition of special needs
Children with a diagnosed:
- learning disability
- autistic spectrum disorder
- physical disability
- sensory impairment
Adults with a diagnosed:
- learning disability
- autistic spectrum disorder
The aim of the special needs service is to support both individuals and their families in coping with the challenges associated with a special need, to enable people to live as fully participative members of our society, whilst remaining in the community.
We aim to treat all people who use services with respect and consideration, and to provide them with choices and control over their lives.
Accessing the special needs service
People can access the service by
- being referred by someone such as a GP or health visitor or
- they can contact the service direct
Duty officers are available on a daily basis to provide advice, to arrange for assessment of need in appropriate cases, and receive information about children or adults who may be at risk of harm.
There is also a 24 hour emergency service for children who are in urgent need of help or protection. The emergency only out-of-hours duty system can be contacted via the police. The police will contact the duty officer who will then ring you back.
Services provided
The special needs service provides a range of multi-disciplinary assessment, advice and support services. This includes:
- Assessment from:
- Social Work
- Physiotherapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Specialist Behavioural Advice Service
- Community Learning Disability Nursing
- Adult day services for people with a learning disability
- The Le Geyt Centre, Five Oaks, and in a range of community settings
- Adult residential services: group homes based in the community
- Children’s short break service
- residential short breaks provided in two settings: Aviemore and Oakwell
- outreach services
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