Children who are disabled social care

We work in partnership with children and young people, parents, carers and families to safeguard and promote their wellbeing. This includes:

• safety
• health
• learning and development towards independence and adulthood

Find activities for my disabled child

Families can access support, activities and events for children and young people with SEN or disabilities, without needing early help or social care. This includes short break activities.

Register my child as disabled

Register with The Xchange and this will automatically register your child as disabled with Dorset Council.

Find out if you're eligible for short breaks

Short breaks are activities that support parents and carers to continue to be able to look after children and young people who are disabled. 

They also give children and young people with a disability or additional needs a chance to have fun trying new activities as well as a change of scene from being at home. 

Find out if you're eligible for short breaks.

Find out about direct payments

Direct payments help parents and carers provide care for their child or young person with a disability or additional needs.

Find out more about direct payments and how to get them. 

Carer's assessment

Find out about the children's carer's assessment and how it applies to you.

Get help with my child's challenging behaviour

You can ask a professional person for help if you need support to manage your child's behaviour, such as a:

• teacher
• SENCO
• health visitor
• GP (doctor)

Get help for my child to live independently

Some children need specialist equipment to live independently in their homes, for example, to support their mobility and personal care. Occupational therapists (OT) can help with this, find out more about Birth to Settled Adulthood Occupational Therapy (B2SA OT) service. You can also find physiotherapy services in our Local Offer. 

Needs assessment

Children who have multiple or complex disabling impairments may need more intensive support. We identify this support through a needs assessment. A family worker or social worker from the Birth to Settled Adulthood (B2SA) Team can go through an assessment with you, according to the Pan Dorset continuum of need. We can provide a range of services if the assessment shows your child's needs are eligible.

These services can include specialist short breaks, including those through direct payments. 

If you need home aids, equipment or adaptations for children or young people who have physical or learning disabilities, an occupational therapist from Dorset Council (DC) will complete an assessment.

Family workers, occupational therapists and social workers work together across Dorset to provide the right level of support for families. 

Who to contact for support

Contact us if you need support or if you have concerns about a child:

Safeguarding

Contact our safeguarding team if you feel a child is immediately at risk of harm.