CP support usually involves a team. Knowing who does what — and what to ask each one for — saves months of confusion.
| Professional / Service | What They Help With | What to Ask For | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| First contact for concerns, pain, sleep, constipation, referrals and medication review. | Ask for paediatric referral, pain review, constipation plan, sleep support, mental health referral or evidence letter. | Health | |
| Health visitor | Early years development checks and signposting. | Raise motor milestones, feeding, tone, sleep and family stress. | Health |
| Community paediatrician | Diagnosis, developmental review, care coordination and referrals. | Ask for written diagnosis/working diagnosis, associated needs and recommended school adjustments. | Health |
| Physiotherapist | Movement, strength, tone, stretching, posture, standing, walking, exercise and gross motor goals. | Ask for home/school programme, frequency, equipment needs, mobility impact and fatigue advice. | Health/Education |
| Occupational therapist | Daily living, hand skills, seating, equipment, bathing, toileting, school access, adaptations and independence. | Ask for school report, equipment recommendations, DFG/adaptation referral if needed. | Health/Social Care |
| Speech and language therapist | Speech, language, AAC, eating, drinking, swallowing and saliva/drooling support. | Ask specifically for communication and feeding/swallowing if relevant. | Health/Education |
| Orthotics | Splints, AFOs, footwear, insoles and bracing. | Ask about comfort, fit, growth review and school wearing plan. | Health |
| Wheelchair services | Assessment for manual/powered wheelchairs, seating and posture. | Ask about independence, school access, transport, pain and pressure care. | Health |
| Neurology | Seizures, movement disorders, complex neurological concerns. | Ask for seizure plan and medication plan where needed. | Health |
| Orthopaedics | Hips, spine, contractures, surgery decisions and musculoskeletal complications. | Ask about hip surveillance and pain if mobility/tone changes. | Health |
| Dietitian | Nutrition, growth, weight, tube feeding, constipation and dietary support. | Ask if eating, weight or energy are concerns. | Health |
| Clinical psychology/ | Adjustment, anxiety, trauma, low mood, behaviour, family support. | Ask for support when distress affects daily life or schooling. | Health |
| Continence service | Toileting, nappies, bowel/bladder care and independence. | Ask for continence assessment rather than assuming delay is behavioural. | Health/Social Care |
| Children's community nursing | Complex health care at home/school, training and care plans. | Ask if there are medical procedures, feeding tubes, rescue meds or nursing tasks. | Health |
| Social worker / Disabled Children's Team | Care needs, short breaks, direct payments, family support and safeguarding around caring stress. | Ask for child in need assessment and parent carer needs assessment. | Social Care |
Sources: , NICE (NG62 & NG119), Scope, Contact, GOV.UK, , Citizens Advice. Always check linked organisations for the latest information.