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Introduction
Disabled children’s teams within local authority children’s services provide statutory social care support to children and young people with physical disabilities, sensory impairments or complex health needs. These teams hold detailed information used to assess needs, plan care, and safeguard children. Information is gathered through assessments, direct work, observations, care plans, and input from partner organisations such as health services, education, therapy providers and voluntary-sector specialists.
Disabled children’s teams carry out structured assessments to understand the child’s needs, vulnerabilities and protective factors. Assessments typically include:
- health and developmental needs – the child’s physical, cognitive, sensory and emotional functioning, as well as the impact of any disabilities on their daily life
- communication and understanding – how the child expresses themselves and understands relationships, consent, and safety (information which may be contained in a communication passport)
- family and social context – support networks, caregiving arrangements and family dynamics
- behaviour and vulnerability indicators – observed behaviours that may signal risk or abuse, including potential indicators of sexual abuse
- multi-agency contributions – information from schools, therapists, medical practitioners, social workers and specialist services
- the child’s voice – engagement with the child, using communication methods appropriate to their needs, in order to understand their experiences, wishes and concerns.
Following assessment, disabled children’s teams develop care and support plans that outline:
- the child’s needs and expected outcomes
- roles and responsibilities of parents/carers, and of specific practitioners and organisations
- actions to safeguard the child and support their wellbeing
- timescales for review and monitoring
- safety measures such as supervision arrangements, safe routines and environmental controls
- therapeutic or emotional support to help the child process their experiences of abuse
- coordination with statutory social work teams, health, education, and other safeguarding partners
- monitoring of behavioural changes, disclosures and emerging risks.
Plans are reviewed regularly to ensure that the child is safe, and that interventions remain appropriate to their needs.
Disabled children’s teams maintain records of:
- regular reviews and visits – updates on wellbeing, safety, and care provision
- multi-agency safeguarding meetings – discussions to coordinate protective measures and reduce risk
- legal processes – court proceedings, care orders or statutory safeguarding measures when applicable
- specialist reports – medical, therapeutic or psychological reports relevant to the child’s care and safeguarding.
These records provide a detailed and up-to-date picture of risk, support needs and protective measures, which is particularly important for children at increased risk of child sexual abuse owing to a disability or communication barriers.