12/5/2020

Professionals from a range of health, education and children's services teams have joined together to ensure children with complex disabilities and medical needs can continue to receive the support they need, during COVID-19.

Themulti-agency group has been established to provide pupils and their families with access to services, advice and support from a number of health care, education and children's services professionals.

In addition, a triage service has been developed which families and professionals can refer into for children with healthcare needs, so that the correct level of advice and support can be accessed.

The group meets weekly and includes school staff, social workers,clinical psychologists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, community nurses, paediatricians, special needs health visitors, dieticians and physiotherapists.

Cardiff Council's Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, Cllr Sarah Merry said:  "Our teams have worked hard to set up and establish the running of this multi-agency approach which is proving to have a positive impact on pupils and their families, ensuring that they can access all the care and support they need in one location, whilst still maintaining measures to reduce the spread of infection.

"It is positive to see an extensive range of professionals, all working together to ensure children and young peoples' needs are being met in a holistic way during the COVID-19 response and supporting our families."

Cabinet Member for Children and Families, Cllr Graham Hinchey said: "The global health crisis is an unnerving time for all of us but particularly our most vulnerable children and young people. For those with complex medical or learning needs, this disruption to routine and to the normal day-to-day care they receive could be upsetting and have a damaging effect on wellbeing. This excellent example of collaborative working, is ensuring that the best care and support continues during these difficult times."

Rose Whittle, Directorate Manager for Community Child Health at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said: "It has been really positive to see how our multidisciplinary clinical teams have responded to the current crisis, looking for innovative solutions and working collaboratively with colleagues from Education and Social Care. This has helped to deliver a multi-agency response to support the wellbeing of children and young people with complex disabilities and medical needs, ensuring a responsive service to families. Thank you to everyone involved, it really is partnership working at its very best."