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Children's Specialist Play Service - Worcestershire

  • We support pre‑school children in Worcestershire with additional needs through home‑based play assessment and intervention. We help children who may have difficulties with movement, communication, play, and learning.

About our service

We are part of the Children's Community Occupational Therapy team and work closely with parents, carers, and other services to support each child’s development. 

Our service is child and family focused and works collaboratively with parents/carers and other services involved with the child to identify and prioritise current concerns and goals and to coordinate how to support in the most effective way.

What type of support does the team offer? 

We work with children and their parents at home, using play and fun activities in a familiar environment. We use play, toys, and everyday activities to understand a child’s needs and to show parents and carers practical ways to support their development. This includes support for children who may have delays in movement, communication, play, or learning, where specialist input is needed.

Further information

How to access the service

We do not accept referrals directly from patients or their families. Children can be referred by members of the Child Development Team including health visitors, paediatricians and therapists.

Who can be referred?

Preschool children with complex additional needs:

  • With consent from the person with parental responsibility
  • Registered with a Worcestershire GP
  • Who have a ‘Looked After’ arrangement with Worcestershire Local Authority and continue to reside in Worcestershire with a Worcestershire GP
  • Who have a ‘Looked after’ arrangement with another Local Authority and are placed in Worcestershire with individual funding agreement.

How to refer and the information we require:

  • We require evidence of the child’s developmental needs, current play skills and specific purpose/expectations of the Specialist Play Service
  • We require confirmation that parental consent has been gained and they have capacity to work with the service
  • Referrers should refer families who can access group support to the child development centre and specialist play referrals should be reserved for those families who need support in the home.

Our service is unable to accept referrals:

  • For children referred on or after the 1st of January in the year they are due to start school
  • For children attending Specialist Nursery provision
  • For children with specific language difficulties and no other developmental delay
  • For children with a neuro disability. These children should be referred to Paediatric Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist who will assess the children and develop an individualised care plan.
  • Where the main need is for family support (these children should be considered for referral to Early Help).
  • For children over the age of 4 who have deferred school entry and are referred to the service following this decision, will be discussed on a case by case basis.
  • Children who are referred to or receiving support from the child development teams.

What happens next?

  • Referrals will be triaged and a decision made about whether or not the referral meets our service specification criteria. Referrals are managed on a clinical prioritisation basis.
  • If the referral is accepted, parents/carers will be informed of this decision.
  • If the referral is not considered appropriate or we feel that our universal offer is appropriate following the graduated response, we will share these details with the referrer and parent/carer.

Discharge criteria:

  • Goals met due to progress
  • Goals not met due to lack of engagement or other issues outside of service influence
  • Age-appropriate play skills
  • Families self managing play and development opportunities
  • Transfer to school or specialist placements
  • Receiving support from the child development centre teams

For further information, please contact us: