Who can be referred to STLS PD-complex medical needs?

This service is able to provide advice and support for the inclusion and progress of children and young people with severe and or/complex physical and/or medical needs.  We are able to provide telephone advice for students who do not meet our criteria which are listed below.  Advice and resources are also available on this website and links to national charities and agencies for more specific advice.  Our criteria is taken from guidance by pdnet a national association for professionals working with children and young people with physical disability

• Neurological impairment, eg cerebral palsy
• Degenerative conditions, eg Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
• Severe trauma, eg Road Traffic Accident
• Chromosomal disorders affecting physical development
• Acquired brain injury
• Muscular skeletal condition, eg juvenile idiopathic arthritis
• Birth trauma and prematurity
• Upper and lower limb differences
• Complex medical needs which impact on physical function, eg cystic fibrosis
• Persistent symptoms affection mobility and physical function although there is no diagnosis
• Complex medical needs, eg cancer, severe epilepsy, chronic illness

Referral to STLS PD is via the LIFT or Early Years LIFT process - if you're not sure about whether to make a referral, please email or telephone to discuss

Further information and explanation about the LIFT process can be found on this website under STLS Sevenoaks (for schools and early years settings), or on the website for your district STLS teams).  Information for physical disability and/or complex medical needs should be accompanied by either a recent medical report, either from therapists, community paediatrician or specialist consultant or detailed information from parents/carers.  For children and young people out of school or with a recently acquired physical disability please contact the STLS PD Professional Lead (stlspd@valence.kent.sch.uk) to discuss whether a referral might be considered outside of the LIFT process

We offer the following types of support:

• Telephone consultancy - 07714 246396
• Email consultancy - stslpd@valence.kent.sch.uk
• Investigative visit and advice
• Taken on to caselist with on-going support and advice