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Parent support network

Discovering that your child has cerebral palsy or another motor learning impairment can be a daunting experience for parents. Being able to talk to someone who understands what you’re going through and can offer support and guidance can be crucial in those early days – and that is what our parent support network provides.

We help put parents in touch with other families who have been on the same journey. Our new Lighthouse Project provides parents with a parental mental health support group, where they can speak to other families who are on a similar journey to them. This project is funded by our corporate partner, Slater and Gordon. We are dedicated to providing an inclusive, non-judgmental space here at the centre, allowing our families to thrive.

What we do

We provide life-changing support for children under-five with cerebral palsy, chromosome abnormalities (such as Downs Syndrome) and rare genetic disorders (including Angelman Syndrome and Rett Syndrome). No formal diagnosis is required to access our specialist services, with our team assessing every child individually.

Our services focus on building children’s physical development, as well as their emotional, social, cognitive and communication skills. Our goal is to help our children reach their full potential, while giving families the crucial support they need.

A young girl with Angelman's Syndrome laughing.

What we offer

Physiotherapy / conductive education

Physiotherapy and conductive education sessions are vital for young children to learn fundamental skills. By integrating movement, learning, and play, children can gain important physical and cognitive skills in a way that’s engaging and enjoyable.

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Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy sessions aren’t like traditional swimming lessons, instead providing children with a relaxing environment to develop their physical skills in the water.

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Music therapy

Music therapy furthers children’s physical development, whilst supporting their social skills and allowing them to develop their communication in a fun environment.

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Speech and language therapy

Communication provides the essential building blocks for children’s development. Our speech and language service supports children to develop their communication skills through a range of techniques.

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Outreach

Our outreach service provides one-to-one support for families in their own homes. Children are engaged in play sessions, helping to support their development.

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Legal support

We work with a selection of legal partners who are here to provide you with a range of legal support.

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Did you know that your child may be eligible for a free Early Years powered wheelchair?

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Application form

Contact the team today for a free assessment for your child.

  • Personal information
  • Health and social care
  • Education
  • Legal Services
Family information
Child's diagnosis
Are you aware of your child being affected in any of the following areas? (if so, please state how below)
Charities and support groups
Have your family received any support from charities or support groups in the last 12 months?
Health care services
Which of the following services has your child received in the last 12 months? (Please state below what support you have received)
Over the last 12 months do you feel that you have received all the health care services that your child needs?
Have medical professionals made any decisions about your child's illness, disability or services that they receive?
Did you feel you were involved in the decision making?
Over the last 12 months how much have you been involved in decision making about your child's needs and healthcare services?
Over the last 12 months have you made a complaint about any of the health services your child receives?
If yes, how easy was it to make the complaint?
Has your child had an assessment for NHS Continuing Care?
If yes, do you feel you were provided with sufficient information about the assessment process?
Did you feel able to fully participate in the assessment process for NHS Continuing Care?
Do you feel you could benefit from any advice or assistance in relation to the provision of health care services or NHS Continuing Care?
Social care
Has your family used any of the following social care and family support services in the last 12 months? (If so, please state below how.)
How would you describe the information you have received concerning the social care and family support services available to you?
In the last 12 months have decisions been made about your child's illness/ disability or services you should receive by social care/ family support professionals?
If yes, do you feel your views were adequately taken into account?
Has a needs assessment been undertaken?
Did you feel part of the process?
Have you been able to access the Motability scheme?
Do you feel you would benefit from advice in relation to social care and support which might be available to you?
Have you applied for Disability Living Allowance?
If yes, which rate were you awarded?
Education
Which of the following education services has your child had in the last 12 months? (Please provide details below.)
Over the last 12 months do you feel your child has received all the education services they need?
Overall, how would you describe the information you have received in the last 12 months about education services for your child?
In the last 12 months has your child had an assessment for special educational needs?
If yes, did you feel you were listened to and were able to participate fully in the assessment process?
Has your child been assessed for an EHCP?
Would you benefit from any advice or support in relation to accessing educational services?
Legal services
Have you consulted a solicitor in relation to the circumstances of your child's birth or disability?
Have you investigated a potential clinical negligence claim?
Would you benefit from referral to a specialist clinical negligence solicitor for informal advice/ support?
Do you feel you would benefit from legal advice in relation to social care and support which might be available to you?
Have you sought legal advice and assistance in relation to the provision of health and social care services (including disabled facilities grants, NHS Continuing Care, care needs assessments or otherwise)?
If no, would you benefit from referral to a specialist community care solicitor for informal advice/ support?
Have you sought legal advice in relation to education services, including in particular an education, health and care plan (EHCP)?
Would you benefit from referral to a specialist education solicitor for informal advice/ support?

Contact us

Want to know more? The team will be happy to help – get in touch today via email or phone.

info@dvlcc.org.uk

01444 473274