Key worker for disabled children set to be recommended in government blueprint

The national service framework for children is likely to call
for all young disabled children and their families to be allocated
a key worker to provide support and co-ordinate service provision,
writes Amy Taylor.

New guidance produced by the NSF’s external working group
on disabled children argued that key workers are central to
improving services for disabled children aged under three and their
families.

It said they should work in partnership with families to provide
a clear point of reference, and a link, through which other
services can be accessed and used effectively.

Workers performing this role could come from any health or
social care agency, depending on the needs of the child.

Paul Ennals, chief executive of the National Children’s Bureau
and chairperson of the working group said that, at present, only a
small number of families had access to such a service.

The guidance goes on to call for greater information-sharing
between professionals to end the need for parents to repeat their
child’s details over and over again.

The need for families to be provided with information in their
own language is also highlighted.

‘Together from the Start – Practical Guidance for
professionals working with disabled children (birth to third
birthday) and their families’ available
here