Tell me about community-based services

Care for children with disabilities in their own home, community settings or the Child Development Centre

You can refer yourself to most of the services below. If, however, you do not feel confident to do that then contact your Health Visitor (for children under 5 years old), School Nurse (for children over 5 years old) or your GP.
Each community-based professional will provide you with specific support for your child. Sometimes they may see you at home, at a community centre, at the Child Development Centre at Le Rondin, at the Medical Specialist Group, or at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital (PEH). This will be arranged in partnership with you.

  • Midwife

    • The Midwife will visit you and your baby at home following discharge from hospital. This is usually for the first two weeks, but may be longer depending on the needs of you and your baby.

  • Health Visitor

    • Health Visiting is offered to all families with pre school children. Each family has a named health visitor who will contact you when your baby is about 10 days old and will arrange a suitable time to call and see you both.
    • Health Visitors provide child development assessments, advice and support up until your child is 5 years old.
    • The Health Visitors can be contacted at Lukis House (tel. 01481 725241) or see health visitor

  • School Nurse

    • The School Nursing Team work with children, young people and their families.
    • They offer a core programme of health surveillance and health promotion to individuals, families and school communities.
    • The School Nurses offer a vaccination programme to all school students and catch up vaccinations are available.

  • Child Development Service (CDS)

    • The Child Development Service is a multidisciplinary team that supports children and young people aged 0-18 who have additional needs.
    • The CDS team are committed to providing high quality care and support to enable every child to reach their full potential. The team seek to work in strong partnership with children, their parents/carers and other agencies to achieve the best possible outcomes.
    • To find out more about the service and how to get support please follow this link.

Additional support is available from the following services:

  • The Children's Community Nurse

    • The Children's community nurses are based at Lukis House (tel. 01481 725241).Follow the link Community nurses
    • If your child requires a dressing, injection or extra support with their asthma the Children's Community Nurse will arrange to visit you.
    • The nurse is also the liaison nurse for children with a cleft lip and palate and children who have undergone day surgery.

  • The Urology / Continence Service 

    • If your child is under 16 years of age then your first point of contact will be either your  Health Visitor or School Nurse who is able to undertake an assessment of your child and offer advice and supporting information. Health visitor or school nurse
    • In some cases your child may need a referral to the Urology / Continence Team. Your Health Visitor or School Nurse can make direct referrals to the team for you.
    • What happens next?
    • On referral to the Urology / Continence Service a full assessment of your child's needs will be made. You will be able to attend the appointment with your child.
    • A home or clinic appointment will be made so a more in-depth assessment may be undertaken.
    • When the assessment has been completed an individual plan will be made for your child and further follow-ups will be arranged as needed.
    • If you require equipment for your child it may be possible to access this through Social Security, tel. (01481) 732508. Assessments are made on an individual basis. Please phone Social Security to see if they can help.

  • Speech and Language Therapy (SLT)

    • Speech and Language Therapy are based at Les Marais Centre (formerly Bell House) in Le Grand Bouet. More information can be found here at speech and language.

  • Paediatric dietitian

    • A Community Paediatric Clinic is run once a week at Lukis House. Referrals are primarily from the paediatricians, Health Visitors or School Nurses but can also be made by other healthcare professionals and GPs.
    • Some of the children who visit the paediatric dietitian are:
      • Children who are failing to thrive, to assess their intake and whether there is scope to increase the amount they eat.
      • Children who are overweight and want help and support in altering their lifestyle to help control their weight.
      • Children with feeding difficulties, such as limited textures or varieties, may be referred so their diet can be assessed and any deficiencies can be supplemented.
      • Children who are tube fed who require monitoring.
      • Children with food allergies and intolerances.
    • If you want to access this clinic talk to your GP, the health Visitor or school nurse. 

  • School Weight Management Service

    • The School Weight Management Service is free and available to all school-aged children and young people, including College of Further Education students.
    • The Service offers healthy lifestyle advice on an individual basis to families or groups.
    • Teaching sessions can be offered in schools or to external groups.
    • The Spring into Action course is aimed at Primary School children. This is a free healthy lifestyle course, delivered by a dietitian, School Nurse, child psychologist, sports trainer and cookery teacher. Through fun activities and games, you and your child can learn how to choose a healthier lifestyle.
    • Referrals into the School Weight Management Service can be from a child or young person, parent, health professionals or anyone seeking support for a child with weight management issues.
    • To make a referral, discuss a weight management concern or receive more information, please contact Christine Jewell, tel. (01481) 725241 ext. 5243.

  • Kindred Family Centre

    • Kindred Family Centre is a friendly, welcoming environment that is based in the community offering a variety of services that are accessible to children and families. The centre is run by a small staff team who have a wealth of knowledge and experience working with children and their families. For further information please follow this link.

  • The Guernsey Youth Commission

    • Youth Commision is a local charity who offer a range of services for children, young people and their families in the Bailiwick. All our services are free of charge and if you can't find what you're looking for here, get in touch and we will be happy to help. Youth Commision

  • Looked After Children's Team

    • The Looked After Children's Team provides services to children and young people in care from the age of 0 to 18 years and young people leaving care between the ages of 16 and 21.

  • Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)

    • CAMHS is available to young people under the age of 18 years, their families and carers. CAHMS provide assessment and treatment for a wide range of problems related to mental health.
    • These problems can include; fear and anxiety, depression and low mood, behavioural problems, eating disorders and early onset psychosis. As a service, CAHMS work with young people individually; parents and / or carers; and whole families. CAHMS also work in close liaison with other professionals who are involved with young people (such as social workers, teachers and medical staff). For more information please see CAMHS.