Before a CWD referral: North Northamptonshire family pathway

Step by step

1. Start with the people already around your family

   Talk to your child's nursery, school, SENCO, GP, health visitor, therapist or other trusted professional. Ask what support can be put in place now, what reasonable adjustments are available, and who will coordinate the next step. You do not need to wait for a diagnosis before asking for practical support.

2. Use North Northamptonshire's Family Hubs and Family Information Service

   The Family Hubs Digital Front Door is the starting point for family information, Best Start support, activities, local services and early help routes. Search for universal and targeted resources before assuming that a social-care referral is the only route.

3. Ask about SEND Support Service help

   North Northamptonshire's SEND Support Service can offer advice, consultations and courses. Parents and carers can request a consultation, and schools have support routes. The published criteria differ by age, especially for children aged 0 to 4, so check the current council page rather than assuming every child enters through the same referral route.

4. Check practical support and community options

   Use the North Local Offer and Access Compass listings for short breaks, clubs, leisure, parent-carer support, benefits, equipment, transport, health and advice. Universal clubs and activities may be accessed directly; targeted or specialist services may have their own criteria, referral or assessment.

5. Search specifically for youth work and positive activities

   For a child or young person looking for social time, confidence, participation or youth work, search Services for youth clubs, Youth Works, NAYC, SEND activities and youth participation. Check age, area, support level, diagnosis or eligibility, cost, referral and whether a parent or carer must stay before relying on a session.

6. Use Family Help when needs are growing or joined-up support is needed

   Family Help, previously called Early Help, is voluntary support to coordinate services around a child and family. A Family Help Conversation can be started with a professional such as a school, GP, health visitor or youth worker. Consent is normally used for an Early Help plan, but it is not required before safeguarding information is shared on a lawful basis. Do not delay a safeguarding referral or inform someone if doing so could increase risk.

7. Ask for statutory help when ordinary routes are not enough

   Do not treat these steps as a test you must pass before asking for statutory help. If disability-related needs are substantial or complex, caring pressure is becoming unsafe or unsustainable, family life is breaking down, or there are safeguarding or urgent welfare concerns, ask for the appropriate assessment or contact the council/Northamptonshire Children's Trust route. For specialist CWD support, referrals are made through MASH and the current eligibility information must be checked.

8. If there is immediate danger, skip this guide

   This guide is not a safeguarding screen and it must not delay urgent help. Use emergency services for immediate danger, and use the current Northamptonshire Children's Trust safeguarding or MASH route if you are worried a child is at risk of harm.