"Child development service - investment required"

There seems to be an assumption that my dissatisfaction with the service stems from my lack of understanding of the model of delivery. I can assure you it is in fact quite the opposite - it is my awareness of how children’s brains develop, the potential for recovery and educating myself on therapy methods that has led me to know that this service is far from optimal.

With regard the CanChild model to which has been referred:

1. It is a framework for how to set goals, not for how to achieve them, which is the key part of the service which is lacking. What is the framework you follow for this vital aspect?

2. The CanChild website refers to how the ‘F-words’ model is poorly applicable to the 0-2 age range based upon organisations that have attempted to implement the model.

Therefore, is this really the best framework to choose for a pre-school child development service? The response suggests that goals should be set based on what is important to a child - this is not a statement readily applicable to a 1 year old.

3. Within the CanChild evidence base you will see that there are papers backing the model of seeing a therapist once per week at baseline and then at times when milestones are approaching that a more intensive model should be applied - this is not something that I am aware of being on offer. In fact it is a far cry from what my child has been offered.

4. Of course integration of therapy into home life is an important principle. Parents should be empowered to carry out therapy activities, however, nowhere in the evidence base does it state that it is adequate for a therapist to only see a child once every 4 - 8 weeks.

I maintain my view that opportunities for children to gain independence are being lost due to this service. It could be so much better and the fact that these shortcomings are not acknowledged is a huge part of the problem.

With regard the outdoor play area - this is not a substitute for substandard therapy. There are very few useable pieces of equipment for young child in the 0-3 age range, and are any of the pieces of equipment even accessible for wheelchair users or children using walkers? I don’t believe so from what I have seen.

It is a pleasant environment no doubt, however it cannot be used to justify that meaningful investment is occurring in the development of children’s brains. 1 hour in a park every 6 weeks is not going to make a difference.

I am happy to engage further with the service directly, however, my efforts would not be worthwhile if the shortcomings in what is delivered are not seen.