The Disabled Children’s Services (DCS) provides assessment, planning, intervention and review for disabled children and young people who need specialist knowledge and support to meet their social care needs.

We work with children from a very young age through to adulthood, working closely with health providers and partners in education. In our social work teams, this covers the entire spectrum of social work functions, from supporting children in need to those who may need additional care or accommodation. This allows us to build and maintain relationships with all those we support and their families. Our work includes targeted support through our teams, spanning early help, social work provision and specialist intervention for children with vision and Deafblind/Dual sensory impairment.

We also support young people we assessed as unable to consent to their care and support plan. We work in partnership to understand their best interests and seek authorisation through the Court of Protection.
The service consists of social workers, social care assessors, direct payment advisors, and Rehabilitation Officers for Visually Impaired Children (ROVIC) who work across Devon.

We aim to promote the strengths of our children and their families, developing an understanding of their needs and how we can best support them to achieve the outcomes they desire.

The Disabled Children’s Service teams

DCS Support and Advice

This team aims to break down the barriers to support so families get help early.

DCS Social Work team

Uses all of our skills to work in partnership with families and partner services to get the best outcomes for our families.

Rehabilitation Officer for Visually Impaired Children (ROVIC) Service

Supports children with vision and Deafblind/Dual sensory impairment.

Katy discusses her role as an Advanced Social Worker in the Disabled Children’s Services in Devon.