Children’s Disability Network Manager: Jane Hand
About Progressing Disability Services
Children’s Disability Network Teams have been set up across the country as part of the National Progressing Disability Services (PDS) Programme. This programme aims to achieve a national unified approach to delivering children’s disability services. The central focus of this programme is to provide one clear pathway to services for each child with complex needs and their family, within their local area.
Enable Ireland Cavan, in partnership with the HSE, work with families to provide support to children and young people (up to the age of eighteen), with complex needs who live within their catchment area.
We deliver our services within a social model and provide an integrated, accessible and co-ordinated service in partnership with the children using our services and their families. We aim to offer support that is family-centred, by:
- treating families with dignity and respect.
- providing families with information that allows them to make informed decisions and choices.
- including active family involvement in identifying and accessing resources and supports.
- being responsive and flexible to family requests and desires within available resources.
We provide support across a range of settings depending on family priorities. This can include settings like our centre, family homes, community locations and children’s pre-schools or schools.
Our service is interdisciplinary meaning that team members from different professions work together with children/ young people and their families on common goals.
Who is eligible for services?
Children and young people who are:
1. Aged from birth to eighteen and
2. Live in Co. Cavan and
3. Have “complex needs” and
4. Would benefit from the support of a team to reach their potential
“Complex needs” are when a child or young person has significant difficulties in learning or doing every day activities when compared to other children and young people their age.
Children who are at risk of developing a disability due to e.g. a diagnosed condition associated with complex needs are eligible for referral to the team.
How do I get a referral?
You can make a referral to the service by completing the Children’s Services Referral and Additional Information Forms. Referrals can be made by parents themselves or through the GP, paediatrician or public health nurse, as well as through a primary care team therapist or through another service such as Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHs). Schools and pre-schools can also make referrals to the service. Parental consent for the referral is required at all times.
Children’s Services Referral Form (Download Word version)
Each referral must be accompanied by an “Additional Information Form” specific to their child’s age category (Birth to 11 months; 12 months to 2 years 11 months; 3 years to 5 years 11 months; 6 years to 11 years 11 months; 12 years to 18 years). This additional information form should be completed by the child’s parent/carer where possible.
Additional Information Form Birth to 11 months (download Word version)
Additional Information Form 12 months to 2 years 11 months (download Word version)
Additional Information Form 3 years to 5 years 11 months (download Word version)
Additional Information Form 6 years to 11 years 11 months (download Word version)
Additional Information Form 12 years to 18 years (download Word version)
These forms allow all PDS teams and disciplines/services to accept and prioritise referrals on a consistent and equitable basis.
If you require further information or help to complete the referral forms, please contact the service on 049-4326990 or e-mail admin.cavan@enableireland.ie
Useful Information
For more information about the national Progressing Disability Services programme and for national policies and reports, please visit the HSE website here. You can also find key national documents here.
Download Directions to the Enable Ireland centre
Read the HSE’s Children’s Disability Network Team leaflet.
The leaflet is also available in the following languages:
Echipele din reteaua pentru copiii cu dizabilitati: Romanian
Equipes da Rede de Deficiencia Infantil: Brazilian Portuguese
Equipes reseau sur le handicap des enfants: French
Foirne Lionra Michumais Leanai: Gaelige
Lasten Vammaidverkoston Valjokot: Finnish
Siec Zespolow Wsparcia Dziecka z Niepelnosprawnoscia: Polish
Vaiku neigalumo tinkle darbo grupes: Lithuanian