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Child and family psychology service

We provide psychological assessment, intervention and consultation for children and families to support emotional wellbeing.

Who are we?

We are a team of HCPC registered Clinical Psychologists, with specialist knowledge of children’s neurodevelopmental and other complex medical conditions. Our team also consists of Assistant Psychologists, a Child & Family Practitioner and an Administrative team, who work under the direct supervision of the Clinical Psychologists.

What do we do?

 Our focus is on understanding children’s psychological development and how children and young people think, feel and behave.  We use evidence based psychological and therapeutic principles to support children and families’ emotional wellbeing. The children and young people we work with all have complex neurodevelopmental needs. We carry out assessments and interventions in partnership with parents/ carers and other professionals. We put the child first in everything we do.

 

Assessments:

Assessments are designed to answer specific questions agreed with referrers and parents/carers. This can include questions of diagnosis or a detailed exploration of a child’s strengths and needs. 

 

Assessments include:

  • Interviews
  • Observations
  • Play sessions
  • Psychometric testing
  • Exploring what is happening around a child at home or school.

 

Intervention:

These are tailored to the specific needs of children and are planned with the child, parent/carer and others as needed.  

 

Intervention can be:

  • Individual work with the child
  • Work with parents/ carers
  • Work with parents/carers and children together
  • Group programmes  

 

Consultation:

We attend school meetings or Family Network Meetings as required for the children we work with.  We also complete professional advice forms for Educational, Health and Care (EHC) Plans for children known to us.

 

 

 Parent Workshops and Groups: 

  • Post diagnostic workshops (PDW) for parents/ carers of children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD).  Referral by clinician giving diagnosis.
  • Sleep workshops are run for parents/carers of children under 7 who have complex neurodevelopmental needs and related sleep problems.   Referral by Paediatrician or Specialist Health Visitor.
  • ‘My Child’s Mind’ for parents/carers of children with complex neurodevelopmental issues other than ASD.  Referral by Paediatrician or Child and Family Psychology.
  • Earlybird for parents/carers of pre-school children who have a diagnosis of ASD.  Access via pre-school PDW.
  • Complex Needs Intervention Group:  ‘Living with the Ups and Downs of Complex Needs’.  For parents/carers of children with very complex neurodevelopment needs. Access is via internal referral by a Clinical Psychologist in our service.

 

Who do we see?

 Children and young people who have problems of living arising from complex neurodevelopmental needs including:

  • Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
  • Global Developmental Delay (GDD)
  • Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Genetic Conditions
  • Complex neurodevelopmental needs without a clear diagnosis

 

 The kinds of problems we see:

  • anxiety  
  • managing difficult emotions
  • challenging behaviours
  • family relationships
  • daily living skills such as sleep, feeding or toileting
  • the child’s view of themselves
  • helping parents understand their child’s complex needs
  • maximising wellbeing and resilience. 

 

 

Who do we not see?

  • Children and families who have not yet received a service from universal or generic services e.g. health visitors, school nurses, parenting programmes or Family Support Practitioners. 
  • Children where the main issues of concern within school or solely to do with learning
  • Children with a primary diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Children who need urgent mental health care.

 

How can children be referred?

We take referrals from Community Consultant Paediatricians or Specialist Health Visitors.

  

How long will my child wait to be seen?

 We aim to let you know within two weeks if a referral has been accepted.

Workshops are run regularly and parents/carers will be able to opt in to dates offered by letter or telephone.

For individual assessment or intervention, we aim to start work with children and families within 18 weeks of the referral being accepted.   We may ask parents/carers to attend a relevant post diagnostic workshop before making the first appointment.

 

Where will my child be seen?

We provide services at the following locations: 

  • Woodbridge Clinic, 2 Pytches Road, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1EP
  • Stowmarket Child Development Centre, Violet Hill Health Centre, IP14 1NL
  • Bury St Edmunds Child Development Centre, Hospital Road, Bury St Edmunds IP33 3ND

 

We also offer appointments in other locations to fit with the needs of children and families. We try to accommodate family preferences but cannot guarantee to offer times and locations requested.

 

Working with us 

  • First appointments are offered for parents only so we can fully understand your concerns.
  • Individual appointments last about an hour but can be shorter or longer. 
  • Parent/carer workshops and groups usually last for a morning.  They are not suitable for children to attend.  We usually offer up to two places per child. 
  • An adult with parental responsibility is expected to attend the first appointment with the child.  A responsible adult must be in the building when a child is being seen.
  • Informed consent will be sought for assessment and intervention at all stages of involvement. Older children may be included in this discussion.
  • Students and trainees may be working with us for experience.  They are closely supervised and your consent will be sought.

 

Contact the team:

Child and family psychology service

2 Pytches Road, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 1EP

01394 389200

Email the team CFPSadmin@wsh.nhs.uk

Your view matters:

We aim to offer a good service to you and your child. We welcome your comments, compliments and suggestions.

If you have any queries or concerns with any aspect of your child's care that cannot be resolved with your clinician please contact the team leader.

If you feel unable to discuss your concerns in this way please contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)