Children’s disability network teams (CDNTs) support children up to age 18 who have complex needs.
They work with families and children who need a lot of day-to-day support due to an illness, disability or sensory impairment.
Your child does not need a diagnosis or an assessment of need report to access CDNT services. But they do need a referral.
Healthcare professionals will assess their referral. They will decide if a CDNT or another service is best to meet your child's needs. They'll make this decision based on the information you provide.
Disabilities CDNTs support
CDNTs support children with complex needs related to a wide range of disabilities.
These include:
- intellectual disability
- physical disability
- sensory disability
- chromosomal disorders
- neurological disorders
- neurodevelopmental disability
How CDNTs work
CDNTs are made up of health and social care professionals from different disciplines.
The team members work together to provide therapeutic services and supports to children. They keep each other up to date with a child’s progress and changing needs.
Family-centred practice
CDNTs follow an approach called family-centred practice (FCP).
This means they work closely with you and your family. They also work with schools and other organisations and services.
Together with your family, the CDNT will create a support plan called an Individual Family Support Plan (IFSP). This plan sets out the goals you wish to work on for your child.
Team members
A CDNT team may include:
- occupational therapists (OTs)
- speech and language therapists (SLTs)
- psychologists
- physiotherapists
- social workers
- clinical nurse specialists
CDNTs may also have access to:
- behaviour support specialists
- dietitians
- early years practitioners/ early years nurse practitioners
- family support workers
- therapy assistants