The Children’s Disability Service (CDS), like Family Information Services, will provide you with information about universal services and more specialist groups that can offer support, without the need for an assessment.
CDS undertake assessments of need and parents/carers of children with disabilities can ask for an assessment if the universal services are unable to meet their needs. There is an eligibility criteria to access certain services for which an assessment is needed. Following the assessment, a support plan will be agreed with the child and family, this may include direct provision of services of a direct payment. The CDS will review the support plan regularly with the emphasis being on promoting inclusion, meeting identified outcomes and support the family as a whole.