Access Compass

Access Compass guide

Before and during a CWD referral: North and West Northamptonshire

A practical screening guide: what reasonable local options to check, when to ask for Children with Disabilities support, and where the official detailed guidance lives.

Published by Access Compass · How we research and check guides

Who it's for: Parents & carers, Professionals

Not yet verified Last checked 16 Jul 2026. Review due 15 Aug 2026. Always confirm details with the service before relying on them.

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Before and during a Children with Disabilities referral

  1. Community support

    • Support
      Use helpful support now

      Schools, health teams, short-break activities, benefits advice and community services can help before or alongside assessment. They are not a gate that must be exhausted first.

  2. Request an assessment

    • Decision
      Explain impact and unmet need

      Describe the child's disability, care and supervision needs, family impact, current support, risks and the outcomes sought. Ask for a written decision.

  3. During assessment

    • Information
      Build a whole-family picture

      Include the child's voice, daily routines, siblings, parent-carer needs, health, education, communication, equipment, overnight care and what happens when support breaks down.

  4. Outcome and plan

    • Outcome
      Record what happens next

      Ask for the assessment outcome, reasons, agreed support, responsible people, timescales, review date and the route to challenge or complain.

  5. Urgent or emergency

    • UrgentUrgent help
      Risk is rising

      Contact the allocated worker, duty team or MASH and explain what has changed and what cannot safely continue.

    • EmergencyEmergency
      Immediate danger

      Call 999. Do not wait for an ordinary referral or assessment.

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Step by step

  1. Start with practical local support, not just statutory forms

    Use Access Compass to check disability-specific activities, therapies, parent support, benefits help, equipment, autism/ADHD support and community groups. For universal family help, North residents use the Family Hubs Digital Front Door, which includes Family Information Service functions; West residents can use both Family Hubs and the separate Families Information Service directory. Keep notes of what was tried, unsuitable or still needed.

  2. Check the correct Local Offer

    For statutory SEND pathways, use the family's council Local Offer: North Northamptonshire for North residents and West Northamptonshire for West residents. These are the official places for EHC plans, SEND processes, short breaks, school transport and preparing for adulthood.

  3. Use independent advice where the family is stuck

    SENDIASS is the right signpost when the issue is rights, education/SEND process, EHC plans, disagreement with school or council, or understanding social care information. Parent carer forums and carers services can add peer support and practical advice.

  4. Check short breaks and community options

    Action for Children's Northants Short Breaks service is countywide. Parents and carers can self-refer for daytime and evening clubs; overnight breaks at JGS or The Squirrels require a social-work assessment. Use the North or West Local Offer for the current local timetable and statutory details.

  5. Refer or request assessment when ordinary routes are not enough

    Trying community and Local Offer options is useful evidence, but it must not be treated as a barrier to asking for help. If the child's disability creates significant or complex needs, family breakdown risk, safeguarding concerns, or unmet caring pressure, use Northamptonshire Children’s Trust / council routes to request support or make a CWD referral.

Source: https://www.westnorthants.gov.uk/local-offer

Social care, carers & short breaks

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