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Health

Health services are often involved in the initial identification and diagnosis of disabilities and special educational needs.  Health professionals such as your GP, health visitor and paediatrician will help you understand the needs of your child and make sure you get the right health support. 

This section provides information about the health professionals and services that support children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities.  You can either "View all services" or use the Category buttons to narrow your search.

Together for Children and Sunderland City Council cannot recommend or endorse any providers or services listed.  Please read our full disclaimer here

We have provided some information below which you may find useful: 

Healthcare provision in Sunderland

There are a number of organisations that provide healthcare in Sunderland.  Sunderland Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is a group of GPs, other clinicians wand managers who commission (buy) health services for their local communities. 

City Hospitals Sunderland provide a broad range of Childrens and Maternity Services including tests, rehabilitation, minor surgery, therapy and more specialist treatment and emergency care. 

Northumberland Tyne and Wear Mental Health Trust, Children and Young Peoples Service, provides children and young people’s mental health (CAMHS) and learning disability services.

Harrogate and District Foundation Trust (HDFT) provide the 0-19 service which includes the Health Visiting Team and the School Nursing Team.

In addition, NHS England commissions (buys) a range of highly specialised neonatal, paediatric and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. 

General Practices provide a core range of primary medical services and some provide additional services. 

Northern Doctors provide GP led Urgent Care Centres across the city and a GP out of hours service. 

Where to get support whilst waiting for diagnosis

Threre are a number of places / organisations where you can get support whil you are waiting for an appointment; waiting for a diagnosis or if you simply have any concerns.

Sunderland Carer’s Centre
Thompson Park, Thompson Park Road, Sunderland SR5 1SF
Telephone: 0191 549 3768
Email: info@sunderlandcarers.co.uk
Website: www.sunderlandcarers.co.uk


Durham County Carers Support
Unit 1, Hutton Close, South Church Enterprise Park, Bishop Auckland, County Durham DL14 6LG
Telephone: 0300 005 1213
Website: https://dccarers.org/sign-up-for-support/
http://www.dccarers.org/


Sunderland Parent Carer Forum
C/O Sunderland Carer’s Centre, Thompson Park, Thompson Park Road, Sunderland SR5 1SF
Telephone: 07393 129 858
Email: spcoffice@sunderlandpcf.co.uk
Website: www.sunderlandpcf.co.uk


Children and Young People’s Network County Durham
Communications, Marketing and Information Team, County Hall, Durham DH1 5UG
Telephone: 03000 265 792
Email: CYPN@durham.gov.uk
Website: http://www.countydurhamfamilies.info/kb5/durham/fsd/organisation.page?id=uHdfimHP9_A

Alternatively, each Local Authority has a 'Local Offer' which has information for families of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. 

Support for pupils at school with medical conditions

Section 100 of the Children and Families Act 2014 places a duty on governing bodies of maintained schools, proprietors of academies and management committees of PRUs to make arrangements for support pupils with medical conditions.

In meeting the duty, the governing body, proprietor or management committee must have regard to guidance issued by the Secretary of State under this section. 

The statutory sections of the guidance apply to:

  • governing bodies of maintained schools (excluding maintained nursery schools)
  • management committees of PRUs
  • proprietors of academies, including alternative provision academies (not including 16-19 academies)

The non-statutory advice is provided to assist and guide:

  • schools, academies, (including alternative provision academies), and PRUs
  • local authorities
  • clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), NHS England
  • anyone who has an interest in promoting the wellbeing and academic attainment of children with medical conditions, including alternative provision, eg independent schools
  • parents/carers and pupils
  • health service providers

Key points

Pupils at school with medical conditions should be properly supported so that they have full access to education, including school trips and physical education.

Governing bodies must ensure that arrangements are in place in schools to support pupils at school with medical conditions.

Governing bodies should ensure that school leaders consult health and social care professionals, pupils and parents to ensure that the needs of children with medical conditions are effectively supported.

Copies of the guidance documents can be accessed from the Department of Eductaion website.

Supporting children and young people with diabetes in Sunderland schools/settings.

Guidelines have been produced jointly by the Children's Diabetes Specialist Nurses (CDSN) at Sunderland Royal Hospital and Together for Children Sunderland Specialist Support Team Lead for Children or Young People (CYP) with Physical and/or Medical Needs.

It is crucial that a child or young person is supported to manage their diabetes in all aspects of their life, including their time at school.  It is essential therefore that all staff in schools/settings in Sunderland Local Authority have an awareness of medical condition and the children or young person's needs.

A policy document, which is attached to this page, has been produced which is intended to ensure that staff are supported and equipped to manage children and young people with diabetes effectively in schools/settings in Sunderland.

Children & Young Peoples Mental Health and Wellbeing Transformational Plan

The Children and Young People's Mental Health and Wellbeing Transformational Plan sets out the five year plan to imrpvoe services from 2015-2020.  You can access a copy here.

An Executive Summary document has been written to give an overview of the work of the Sunderland Child and Adolescent Mental Health Partnership in 2019/2020.  The document sets out the current issues in the delivery of children and young people's mental health services in Sunderland, and the work underway to improve services.

The executive summary is available below:

 

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