To help prevent the spread of winter viruses such as Covid-19, influenza and norovirus (winter vomiting bug), and to protect our patients and staff, please do not visit patients in our hospitals if you have: flu-like symptoms (cough, fever, cold); Covid-19 or influenza, or any other infections; diarrhoea and/or vomiting within the last two days.
We help children and young people with their emotional wellbeing, thoughts, feelings and behaviour. Our team uses proven psychological and therapeutic approaches to support families.
We work with children and young people who have complex neurodevelopmental needs. We carry out assessments and provide support together with parents, carers and other professionals.
We support children and young people with complex neurodevelopmental needs, including:
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Global Developmental Delay (GDD)
Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
Cerebral palsy
Genetic conditions
Complex needs without a clear diagnosis
We can help with:
anxiety
managing strong or difficult emotions
challenging behaviour
family relationships
daily living skills, such as sleep, feeding or toileting
how a child sees themselves
helping parents understand their child’s needs
building wellbeing and resilience
Types of treatment offered
We carry out assessments to answer agreed questions with parents, carers and referrers. This might include looking at diagnosis or exploring a child’s strengths and needs.
Assessments may include:
interviews
observations
play sessions
psychometric testing
exploring what is happening at home or school
We plan support with each child, parent or carer, and others involved. Interventions are tailored to the child’s needs and may include:
individual work with the child
work with parents or carers
joint work with parents, carers and children together
group programmes
We join school meetings or Family Network Meetings for the children we work with. We also provide professional advice for Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plans for children known to us.
We run workshops and groups for parents and carers, including:
Post diagnostic workshops (PDW): for parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Referral is by the clinician who gave the diagnosis.
Sleep workshops: for parents of children under 7 with complex neurodevelopmental needs and sleep difficulties. Referral is by a Paediatrician or Specialist Health Visitor.
‘My Child’s Mind’: for parents of children with complex needs other than ASD. Referral is by a Paediatrician or Child and Family Psychology.
EarlyBird: for parents of pre-school children diagnosed with ASD. Access is via pre-school PDW.
Complex Needs Intervention Group (‘Living with the Ups and Downs of Complex Needs’): for parents of children with very complex neurodevelopmental needs. Referral is by a Clinical Psychologist in our service.
Parent workshops and groups usually last for a morning. They are not suitable for children to attend. We usually offer up to two adult places per child.
First appointments are offered for parents only so we can fully understand your concerns.
An adult with parental responsibility is expected to attend the first appointment with the child. A responsible adult must be in the building when a child is being seen.
Informed consent will be sought for assessment and intervention at all stages of involvement. Older children may be included in this discussion.
Students and trainees may be working with us for experience. They are closely supervised and your consent will be sought.
Post: Child and family psychology service, 2 Pytches Road, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 1EP
Frequently asked questions
We take referrals from community consultant paediatricians or specialist health visitors.
We aim to let you know within two weeks if a referral has been accepted.
Workshops are run regularly and parents/carers will be able to opt in to dates offered by letter or telephone.
For individual assessment or intervention, we aim to start work with children and families within 18 weeks of the referral being accepted. We may ask parents/carers to attend a relevant post diagnostic workshop before making the first appointment.
Stowmarket Child Development Centre, Violet Hill Health Centre, IP14 1NL
Bury St Edmunds Child Development Centre, Hospital Road, Bury St Edmunds IP33 3ND
We also offer appointments in other locations to fit with the needs of children and families. We try to accommodate family preferences but cannot guarantee to offer times and locations requested.
Individual appointments last about an hour but can be shorter or longer.
We do not see:
children and families who have not yet had support from universal services such as health visitors, school nurses, parenting programmes or Family Support Practitioners
children where the main concerns are only in school or about learning
children with a primary diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
children who need urgent mental health care
We welcome your comments, compliments and suggestions.
If you have any queries or concerns with any aspect of your child's care that cannot be resolved with your clinician please contact the team leader.
