Services are delivered through an Interdisciplinary Team. This is a group of different health professionals that work together and in partnership with the child and their family. The child and family are key members of this team. Depending on a child’s need(s), members of the child’s team may include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, psychology, Dietetics, nursing and social work.

The team will provide supports for the child across a variety of settings including the home, education settings such as pre-school or school, community settings or the CDNT centre. 

The CDNTs operate through a Family-Centred Practice model.  This is an approach that focuses on the whole family and not just the child requiring support. It ensures that the family's priorities are considered when setting goals with the family. 

All families that have a child attending the CDNT will have a Key contact. The key contact will be named contact and act as a link between the family and the team. They will support families with any queries they may have about their service. 

All families attending the CDNT will have an Individual Family Support Plan (IFSP). This is an agreed plan that identifies the child and family’s goals and priorities. The IFSP will also describe supports needed to achieve these goals. The IFSP looks at and documents the child’s strengths and achievements since the last plan was completed. As children grow and develop the goals on their IFSP will change with them.

Our primary goal is to get to know you and your child. To do this we will discuss:

• Your concerns
• What is important to you and your family, in regards to your child’s development
• Daily routines and family life
• Our service

Following this, we will collaboratively discuss the things you would like your child and family to achieve.  Together we will set goals to help your child build relationships, take part in activities, and do things for themselves.

Children aged from birth to 18 years may be referred for services.

If you have a concern about a child’s development, ‘Children’s Services Referral Form’ can be completed by parents/legal guardians, health and social care professionals, GPs, education professionals, assessment of need officers or case managers. The completed forms can be sent to their local Children’s Disability Network Team.  It is essential that signed parental consent is recorded on the referral form.

A referral can be made by a healthcare professional. Or you can make the referral yourself.

To do this:

1. Complete the Children’s Services Referral Form (PDF, 106 KB, 11 pages)
2. Complete an Additional Information Form for your child

The Additional Information Form lets you describe your child and what your concerns are. It will help to refer them to the right service for them.

Complete the Additional Information Form for children aged:

• 0 to 12 months (PDF, 130 KB, 7 pages)
• 1 to 3 years old (PDF, 204 KB, 10 pages)
• 3 to 6 years old (PDF, 221 KB, 12 pages)
• 6 to 12 years old (PDF, 183 KB, 10 pages)
• 12 to 18 years old (PDF, 166 KB, 9 pages)

If you are a parent and would like further help with the referral forms, please phone your local team and we will assist you.

Referral forms should be sent to:

Email address: cdnt3kilk@enableireland.ie   
Postal address:  Enable Ireland, O'Neill Centre, St Josephs Road, Kilkenny R95K260

These forms allow all PDS teams and disciplines/services to accept and prioritise referrals on a consistent and equitable basis.

Additional information on how to Get a referral to Children's Disability Services is available on the HSE website here. 

Here is a link to a short YouTube presentation with regard to the National Access Referral forms, Information for Referrers NAP Information for Referrers - YouTube

All intervention is aimed at equipping you to help your child at home and in the community. The Individual Family Support Plan will identify the interventions that your child requires.  As a team we may offer supports in a variety of formats, depending on the needs and goals identified by your family.

Intervention may be offered in the following ways:

•    Parent training and review consultation.
•    Inter-disciplinary therapy e.g. the SLT, OT or PT might work together during a session with your child
•    Group therapy for children/children and parents/parents only
•    Workshops for parents/carers/family members/teachers and SNA’s
•    Individual therapy
•    Recommendations for home 
•    Recommendations for school
•    School consultation 
•    Liaising with the NEPS psychologists who provide school based psychological support

Intervention may be in person or via telephone consultation or video consultation/ webinars.  The needs of your child will shape the intervention that we will provide to you and your child.

You may be asked to join in during your child’s sessions so that you can support your child in their home environment.  We may give you home programmes with activities to follow up on skills practised during the sessions.

Unfortunately, due to limited resources, we are not able to provide access to all services immediately.  Your child may be placed on a waiting list for a service.  However, we will work with you to provide you with some general supports whilst waiting for services. 

When your child no longer needs the services of the Children’s Disability Network Team, s/he will be discharged from the service.  This will be discussed with you and where appropriate your child may be referred to another service.

If you and your family change address, please inform the CDNT.   If you and your family move out of the catchment area, the Children’s Disability Network Team will liaise with the most appropriate service in your new area and organise the transfer of your child’s intervention, with your consent.