It’s natural for babies and young children to develop at different rates.
Support is available if you're concerned that your child may be progressing more slowly than others or in a way that feels unexpected.
Speak to your health visitor or GP
Health visitor
A health visitor is a specialist public health nurse or midwife who helps families and communities ensure children grow up healthy, happy, and safe.
From birth, your child will be assigned a health visitor, and you can contact them with any concerns until your child starts school.
Health visitors often work alongside community nursery nurses, who are also trained to assess child development. If necessary, they can refer your child to specialists such as:
- paediatricians
- speech therapists
- the child development team (CDT)
GP
If you have concerns about your child's development, you can consult your GP.
They can assess the situation and may refer your child for further evaluation and support to specialists like:
- paediatricians
- physiotherapists
- speech and language therapists
Additional support from our services
Our children's centres and family hubs offer extra advice and support to help you understand your child’s development and ensure they get the care they need.
If your child is under two years old, our Start for Life offer provides access to essential services and support during your child’s first 1001 days.
Nursery
At nursery, the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework is used to track your child’s development and progress. This framework helps ensure that your child is meeting key developmental milestones.
If your child is attending nursery, you can request a meeting with their key worker to discuss their progress in more detail. This is a great opportunity to get insights into your child’s development and how they are progressing in the setting.
If your child has been identified as having special educational needs (SEN), you can speak with the nursery’s special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO). The SENCO is responsible for coordinating any additional support your child may need, ensuring that they receive help tailored to their individual requirements.
Children identified with SEN will receive additional or different support compared to their peers, to help them thrive in their learning environment.
For more information about SEN support, see Early Years foundation stage.
If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s key worker or the SENCO for further guidance and support.
Health services for additional needs
A wide range of health services are available to assist with your child’s additional needs, ensuring they receive the right care and support.
See more information on the SEND Local Offer website:
- SEND Local Offer website - Universal health services
- SEND Local Offer website - Sensory and physical team
School
If you have concerns about your child’s progress at school, there are several people who can offer support and guidance:
Class teacher
Your child’s class teacher is the first point of contact.
They can provide updates on your child’s progress, the support they’re receiving in lessons, and offer advice on how you can support your child at home.
SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator)
The SENCO is responsible for overseeing special educational needs provision at the school.
If you feel your child may have special educational needs, you can request a meeting with the SENCO to discuss the available support and how your child’s needs can be best met.
School nurse
School nurses are specialists in child and adolescent health. They offer support for children aged 5-19, providing early help and advice related to health and development.
They’re available for drop-in sessions in high schools and can also be contacted to arrange an appointment.
School nurses can offer confidential advice and can direct families to additional services that may be beneficial.
SEN support
If your child is identified as having special educational needs (SEN), they will receive additional support that is tailored to their individual needs. This extra help is designed to ensure that they can fully participate in school activities and reach their potential. See SEN support.