Child Development Team Nursery Nurses

Who We Are

We are a group of specialist Nursery Nurses who work within six Child Development Teams across the Grampian Region. Our primary role is to carry out specialist developmental assessments and observations of children up to 5yrs with suspected or known conditions or Neuro Developmental conditions such as Autism.  We can also be involved with children up to the age of 8yrs in some circumstances. We are a different group of nursery nurses from the ones you may meet attached to your Health Visitor.

What We Do

We work alongside the Therapists within the Child Development Teams and support the Consultants and Paediatricians in the CDT clinics. This may be where you meet us for the first time. Through working with children in their most comfortable settings with their family or care provider we complete assessments and observations to establish the child’s strengths as well as identify areas that may need more support.

What We Offer

• Assessment and observation
• Reassurance
• Support and advice on promoting child development
• Sign posting to other support services
• Blocks of input when a child is not yet accessing child care provision

How We Get Involved

We accept referrals from the Child Development Team Consultants, Paediatricians and Therapists. We spend time with the children to get to know them in their own homes and across various settings such as childminders, play groups, nursery schools or after school activities. Although our contact can be short and specific, families and professionals can contact us at any time after assessment for further advice or support. We may be asked to review assessments in preparation for a child starting school for example. Our assessments are part of a Multi-Disciplinary Team assessment approach to support the diagnostic process.

If You Have Concerns About Your Child

If you are concerned about your child the first step in seeking support is to make contact with your health visitor who can make a referral to Community Child Health. Alternatively you can contact your child care provider who can also refer to the service with parent’s permission and full understanding of why you want to make the referral. Schools can make referrals for children over the age of 5 years.