What does the service do?
Harrow’s Children and Young Adults with Disabilities Service (CYADS) supports families with children aged 0-25 who have:
- moderate, severe and profound disabilities
- complex health problems
The service has a dedicated team of social workers and occupational therapists.
If your child is eligible, the team will assess their needs. They will develop a package of support with input from you, your child and other professionals.
This support is for children and young people who need more support than universal services can provide. The support can involve:
- personal care
- accessing structured activities in the community
- play schemes
- short breaks
- direct payments.
If your child is not eligible to get support through CYADS, we will help you to access suitable support. This may include:
- targeted or specialist services through Early Help
- accessing a short break through the Core Offer
- a social work assessment through Harrow’s First Response Team
- signposting to access universal services.
The CYADS 18-25 team supports with ‘transition planning’. This means preparing young people with a learning disability for adulthood. Find out more about Preparing for adulthood.
Who can access the service?
To access this service from CYADS, a child or young person must:
- live in Harrow
- be aged 0 to 25
- need significant support from another person or equipment for tasks like:
- personal or night-time care
- eating
- taking part in activities
This could include:
- A moderate, severe, or profound, or profound and multiple learning disability (PMLD)
- A severe physical disability
- A severe sensory impairment
- Complex and severe health needs leading to chronic or life limiting illnesses.
- Autism and/or ADHD who also meet one of the above
- Children who attend special schools who also meet one of the above criteria
How to refer a child
Parents and carers can make a referral to the service, as well as professionals.
Referrals from parents and carers
Parents and carers can make a referral to the team by contacting Harrow’s MASH Team
- During Office hours (Mon – Fri 9am - 5pm) phone: 020 8901 2690
- Outside office hours phone the emergency duty team: 020 8424 0999
Referrals from professionals
Professionals can complete the online referral form below.
What happens after a referral?
The assessment of your child’s needs will consider:
- how your child’s disability impacts their daily life. This will include being able to care for themselves and keep safe
- the impact of your child’s disability on family life
- your child’s strengths and abilities, and the wishes of your child and your family
- any other caring responsibilities you have as a parent
- any support from within your immediate or extended family, and community
- disability related benefits your family is receiving
- information from professionals involved with your child. This could be their school, GP or paediatrician.
The assessment can also consider your needs as a carer. They may do a Parent Carer Assessment with you.