Introduction to the DCYPS eligibility criteria
Disabled children and their families who live in Gloucestershire can receive help and support from a range of organisations.
Some of these are run directly by Gloucestershire County Council (GCC); others are in the voluntary or private sectors. GCC provides support through its early help service, locality social work teams and specialist Disabled Children’s and Young People’s Service (DCYPS).
These webpages are intended to help parents, carers, children and young people and professionals understand:
- our approach;
- the sorts of services available;
- how to get help; and
- the circumstances that will lead to help being provided by DCYPS.
In writing it we have consulted extensively with our strategic partners, Gloucestershire Parent Carer Forum, as well as Gloucestershire Parent Carer Alliance. Their invaluable advice is reflected throughout.
GCC does not wish to intrude in family life any more than is necessary, and only in line with parents’ and children’s own wishes. We therefore always try to meet needs with the least intrusive intervention necessary, subject of course to our statutory duties. We will always seek to help families access support that is available to all children in your community. This is because we believe services should be inclusive and that children should not be excluded because they have a disability or complex needs. This may mean adapting how a service delivers. Of course, it does not mean that specialist services won't be available should they be needed.