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Young People
Adult LD Hub
Bromley SEND Local Offer logo
Adult LD Hub
Young People
Bromley SEND Local Offer logo
Adult LD Hub
Young People

BROMLEY SEND LOCAL OFFER

Health services and wellbeing for children and young people with SEND in Bromley

Boy holding soft toy

If your child has special educational needs or a disability (SEND), Bromley offers a range of health services to support their development, wellbeing, and everyday life.

In Bromley, health support is divided into three levels:

Universal health services – Available to everyone

These are everyday health services that anyone can use. These include GPs, dentists, opticians, hospitals, urgent care centres, and school nurses. No referral is needed. These services must make reasonable adjustments for children with SEND.

Targeted health services – Extra help for specific needs

These services are for those with specific health needs that can’t be met by universal services alone. These usually need a referral from a parent/carer or a professional (GP, school, health visitor).

Specialist health services – For complex or long-term needs

These services are for children and young people with complex, long-term disabilities that affect daily life and family wellbeing. These services provide tailored support and require professional referral and assessment.

Multi Agency Support – For children with the highest needs

For a small number of children with very complex or high-risk needs, there is extra support to help plan the right care.

This includes:

  • The Children and Young People’s Dynamic Support Register – this brings together health, education and social care to support children who may be at risk of a mental health crisis or going into hospital.
  • Care, Education and Treatment Reviews (CETRs) – these help make sure children have the right care and support in place to stay safe and well in the community.

Bromley Healthcare provides the community services for children and young people with SEND in Bromley. This includes health visiting, community therapies and community paediatricians.

Our mental health and wellbeing support services are provided by Bromley Y and Oxleas.

You can find local services through:

Health professionals in Bromley work as a team with families, schools, and social care to make sure children and young people with SEND get the right support at the right time.

The team may include:

  • Community Paediatricians – Doctors who help with developmental, neurological, or physical health needs.
  • Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) – Support communication, speech, and swallowing.
  • Occupational Therapists (OTs) – Help children manage everyday tasks (physical, sensory, or coordination).
  • Physiotherapists – Improve movement, strength, and physical function.
  • CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) – Support emotional wellbeing and mental health.
  • School Nurses and Health Visitors – Advice on health, development, and wellbeing.
  • Designated Clinical Officer (DCO) – Makes sure health services meet SEND responsibility.
  • Bromley Y Practitioners – Mental health and wellbeing support through workshops and counselling.

These professionals can:

  • share information (with your consent) to understand your child’s needs
  • help contribute to Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessments and provide advice and input for the health section of the EHC plan
  • co-ordinate care so that health, education, and social care services worked together
  • support transitions, like moving to secondary school or adult services

Universal services do not need a referral. They are available to everyone and must make reasonable adjustments for children and young people with SEND. You can contact them yourself:

How referrals work (iSPA)

Bromley Y and CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) work together through an Integrated Single Point of Access (iSPA). This means all referrals go to one central team. When a referral is received, the iSPA team carefully review the information and decides on the most appropriate support for your child or young person. This may include:

  • advice and resources (signposting)
  • onward referral to Bromley Y or CAMHS
Services for children and young people
  • Bromley Y – Supports children and young people under 18 experiencing emotional wellbeing or mental health difficulties.
    Find out more about Bromley Y and refer.
  • CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) – Specialist support for children and young people experiencing significant emotional, behavioural, or psychological difficulties. Services include assessment, therapy, and psychiatric support. Referrals are typically made by GPs, schools, or other professionals.
    Find out more about CAMHS.
    Watch the What is CAMHS video from Mind.
Services for young people and adults (18+)
Additional support
  • Understanding your child’s needs – Visit the Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health page on the SEND Local Offer website for information, strategies and tips to help support your child.
    Find out more about Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health.
  • Dynamic Support Register (DSR) – For children and young people with a learning disability and/or autism who are at risk of going into hospital because of mental health needs. The DSR helps professionals work together to provide early support. You may also be eligible for a Care, Education and Treatment Review (CETR).
    Find out more about the DSR.
    Find out more about the CETR.

Physical health services via Bromley Healthcare includes audiology, dietitians, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and speech and language therapy. Call 0300 330 5777 or email bromh.bromleyhealthcarereferrals@nhs.net with your details and the service you’re requesting.

Children and Young People

Adults

18-25 with EHCP

Young Adults (18 to 25 with an Education, Health and Care Plan often referred to as an EHCP):

If your young person has an  EHCP, they will continue to receive therapy services (Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Speech and Language Therapy) as outlined in section C and G of their plan.

For other available specialist services for adults with learning disabilities, speak to your GP.

In addition to these services, Bromley Y offers support for Young Adults aged 18 to 25 with an EHCP, which may include social prescribing and mentor support.

18+

Adults (18+):

Services that require a professional referral (S)

These services require a referral from a professional such as a GP, school SENCO, or health visitor.

  • Bladder and Bowel Service (ages 5 to 18) – A specialist nurse-led support for bladder and bowel conditions.
    Find out more about the Bladder and Bowel Service.
  • Children’s Community Nursing Team (CCNT) – Provides care, support, and education for children aged 0 to 18 years (up to 19 years for people with a learning disability).
    Find out more about the Children’s Community Nursing Team.
  • Community Paediatrics – A specialist medical service for children with complex health needs, developmental concerns, or disabilities. Community paediatricians assess and manage conditions such as developmental delays, autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, and other long-term health issues. Find out more about Community Paediatrics.
  • Wheelchair and Special Seating – Bromley Healthcare’s Wheelchair and Special Seating Service is a specialist NHS clinic-based service. They provide wheelchairs and wheelchair seating for long-term physical mobility needs, including manual and powered wheelchairs; this includes assessment, provision of a wheelchair or cushion, and on-going equipment maintenance. Find out more about the Wheelchair and Special Seating Service.

How the professional referral process works

Here’s a simple breakdown of how referrals usually happen:

  • Talk to a professional – This could be your child’s GP, school SENCO, or health visitor.
  • They complete a referral form – Each service has its own form and requirements.
  • Referral sent to the service – The team checks if your child meets the requirements.
  • You’ll be contacted – If accepted, you’ll be given details about the next steps. If not, you may be signposted to other support.

Waiting for a diagnosis or specialist support can be a challenging and uncertain time, but you don’t have to wait to start helping your child. You can find plenty of strategies and tips to help support your child within the Understanding Your Child’s Needs section of this website. 

There are also plenty of free parenting courses and a wealth of information available to you.

Workshops and Parenting Courses

The Bromley Children Project (BCP) runs free parenting courses and online seminars to help you:

  • Build confidence
  • Learn positive parenting strategies
  • Strengthen family relationships

Courses are held at libraries and Children & Family Centres across Bromley. You can self-refer using their online form. Find out more about the free Parenting Courses and Seminars.

Advice and Support from Bromley IASS

The Bromley Information, Advice and Support Service (IASS) offers:

  • Free, confidential advice for parents and carers
  • Help with understanding SEND processes
  • Support with EHC plans, school meetings, and more

Find out more about Bromley IASS.

What is a Hospital Passport?

A Hospital Passport is a simple document that helps hospital staff understand your child’s needs when they go into hospital. It’s especially useful for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including those with autism or learning disabilities.

The passport includes important information such as:

  • how your child communicates
  • what helps them feel calm and safe
  • any medical conditions or allergies
  • what they like and dislike
  • how they show pain or discomfort
  • who to contact for support
Why is it helpful?

Going into hospital can be stressful for your child and for you. A Hospital Passport helps by:

  • helping staff understand your child quickly, even if they’ve never met them before
  • making sure your child’s needs are respected, including any routines or sensory preferences
  • reducing anxiety by making the environment more predictable
  • improving communication, especially if your child finds it hard to explain how they feel
  • supporting better care, because staff can make adjustments that really make a difference

It helps staff see your child as an individual, not just a patient.

Where can I get one?

Download a Hospital Passport template.

How do I fill in my Hospital Passport?

You may need help to complete the Hospital Passport. People who know your child well are the best people to help them. This could be a family member, a friend, or someone who supports your child. Some schools and support teams also offer help.

As your child grows older, their health needs may change and so might the services that support them.

Planning starts early, usually from Year 9 (age 13 to 14). It includes thinking about:

  • staying healthy
  • becoming independent
  • preparing for work or further education
  • being part of the community
Transitioning to adult health services

Moving to adult health services is called healthcare transition. It involves:

  • planning with your current health team (e.g. paediatricians, therapists)
  • identifying adult services that will continue support
  • helping your child manage their health needs

This might include learning:

  • when to visit a GP, pharmacist, or A&E
  • how to manage medication
  • how to stay healthy through diet, exercise, and lifestyle choices
  • where to get advice about relationships and sexual health
Annual health checks for young people with learning disabilities

From age 14, young people with a learning disability can get a free annual health check at their GP.

Regular checks help find health problems early and prevent serious illness. During the check, you will visit your doctor’s surgery and see a GP or nurse. They will:

  • carry out a general check-up, including weight, heart rate and blood pressure
  • talk about feelings and behaviour
  • ask about daily habits, food, and lifestyle
  • review any medicines your child takes
  • make sure long-term conditions like asthma or diabetes, are managed well
  • check if your child needs help from other health professionals, like physiotherapists or speech and language therapists

Visit the Adult Learning Disability Hub to learn more about annual health checks.

More information about annual health checks can be found on the NHS website. 

Transitioning to adult mental health services

As young people get older, their mental health needs may continue after they turn 18. In Bromley, there is support to help with this change, but the process depends on each person’s needs.

What to expect

If your child is supported by CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services), planning for adult care starts about 3 to 6 months before their 18th birthday. The CAMHS team will lead this planning and involve:

  • Your child and your family or carers
  • Adult mental health professionals if a referral is needed
  • A personalised plan to make sure care continues smoothly

Families should talk to their CAMHS worker for advice that fits their situation.

Adult mental health services in Bromley

If your child still needs mental health support after turning 18, they may be referred to the Bromley Mental Health Hub.

This hub is run by Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust and BLG Mind. It supports adults aged 18 to 64 and offers:

  • NHS mental health services
  • Talking therapies
  • Peer support
  • Advice on jobs and housing
  • Recovery College for those with long-term needs

The hub uses a “no wrong door” approach, meaning every referral is checked and sent to the right service, even if the first contact isn’t the best fit.

Other options

Not all young people will need adult mental health services. If not, CAMHS can help you find other support, such as:

  • Community wellbeing services
  • Voluntary organisations
  • GP led care and talking therapies
Where to get help

Children’s Continuing Care is a special package of support for children and young people (aged 0 to 18) who have complex, long-term health needs. These needs may arise from a disability, life-limiting condition, serious illness, or accident.

If your child’s health needs go beyond what regular NHS services can provide, they may be eligible for Children’s Continuing Care. This support helps families manage care at home or in the community and is tailored to each child.

Who is it for?

Continuing Care is for children and young people who:

  • have multiple or complex health needs
  • need ongoing support that standard NHS or social care cannot provide
  • may need help with feeding tubes, medication, mobility, or emotional and behavioural support
What does it include?

The care package may include:

  • specialist care at home
  • medical equipment and supplies
  • support with feeding tubes, medication, and other treatments
  • coordination with schools, social workers, and therapists
How is it assessed?

The specialist nurse carries out a Children’s Continuing Care Assessment. This involves:

  • talking with you and your child (where possible)
  • gathering information from professionals like your GP, school, and therapists
  • looking at your child’s health needs in areas like breathing, nutrition, mobility, and emotional wellbeing

If your child qualifies, a team of professionals from health, education, and social care, will create a personalised care plan. 

Planning for adulthood

If your child receives Continuing Care, they will be assessed at age 16 to 17 to see if they may qualify for NHS continuing healthcare as an adult. A lead nurse from South East London Integrated Care Board (ICB) will help make this transition as smooth as possible.

Where to get help

Speak to your GP, hospital team, or school nurse. They can refer you to Bromley All Age Continuing Care.

Email: bromley.chc@selondonics.nhs.uk

Phone: 020 8176 5644

Find out more on the South East London ICS website.

More Information from the NHS

NHS Continuing Care for Children and Young People

NHS England SEND Overview

NHS Continuing Healthcare Guide 

A Personal Health Budget (PHB) is money from the NHS to support your child or young person’s health and wellbeing needs. It gives families more choice and control over care, especially for children with long-term health or complex health needs.

You and your NHS team work together to make a care plan that suits your child. The plan sets out:

  • what health and wellbeing goals you want to achieve
  • what support is needed
  • how the budget will be spent

In Bromley, PHBs are available for children and young people who have complex health needs and qualify for Continuing Care.

Who is it for?

Your child may be eligible if they:

  • have very complex health needs due to a disability, long-term condition, serious illness, or injury
  • are under 18 and meet the rules for Continuing Care, assessed by the South East London Integrated Care Board (ICB)

The assessment looks at your child’s needs, not just the care they currently receive. Parents and professionals are involved to make sure the full picture is considered.

What can it be used for?

A PHB can pay for support that helps meet your child’s health and wellbeing goals, such as:

  • therapies (e.g. speech and language, physiotherapy)
  • personal care or support workers
  • specialist equipment
  • respite care
  • activities that improve wellbeing

It cannot be used for emergency care, GP services, or anything illegal.

How is it managed?

There are three ways to manage a PHB:

  1. Direct Payment – You receive the money and arrange the support yourself.
  2. Notional Budget – The NHS holds the money and arranges the care for you.
  3. Third-Party Arrangement – An organisation manages the budget and care on your behalf.

You can choose the option that works best for your family.

Want to know more or make a referral?

To discuss a referral for a Continuing Care assessment, contact:

Email: bromley.chc@selondonics.nhs.uk

Phone: 020 8176 5644