Children’s Learning Disability Service

The CLDS are a multi-professional healthcare team providing functional assessments of behaviour which challenges families of children with moderate to severe learning disabilities in the community.

The CLDS provide specialist functional assessments of behaviour which may include (but is not limited to) aggressive or self-injurious behaviour, sensory processing problems, inappropriate sexualised behaviours, emotional wellbeing and anger management issues, and sleep problems. The CLDS cover the Southend, Essex and Thurrock footprint and work with children aged 5-18 years whom are registered with a GP in these areas. Behavioural difficulties must be displayed within the home environment in order for a child to meet the team's criteria.

The CLDS provide services on an individual or group-basis, for children and for parents. The service offer consultation to wider parts of the system around people with learning disabilities, and also have dedicated Positive Behaviour Support guides online for use by families and professional colleagues.

The team offer a blend of face-to-face and virtual support and tailor plans of care to an individual's needs, and work together with families and other agencies to effect behavioural change with the ultimate goal of keeping children at home with their families.

Any registered health or social care professional can refer into the CLDS by completing a referral form.

Children must have a diagnosed moderate to severe learning disability, be aged 5-18 years and have difficult to manage behaviours within the home requiring assessment and treatment. The child must be registered with a GP in the Southend, Essex or Thurrock area.