Children with Disabilities

If your child has a confirmed diagnosis, you can request an assessment of their needs under Section 23 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995. This voluntary assessment looks at the impact of your child’s disability on their daily life and identifies any support they may require. Once a referral meets the Assessment Framework, the service allocates a priority level. This determines how quickly a worker will begin the assessment.  

The assessment looks at the child’s development, family circumstances, and environmental factors to understand what support is required. 

The team will discuss what services or interventions could help, such as: 

• Signposting 
• Short breaks or respite 
• Support at home or in the community 
• Specialist equipment or adaptations (local authority occupational therapist) 
• Links to health, education, or voluntary‑sector services 
• Emotional and practical support for parents and carers 
• Coordinating multi‑agency support   

If needed, a Child’s Plan may be created to ensure everyone involved works together and reviews progress.   

The focus is always on enabling the child to achieve their potential and supporting families to manage challenges. 

A referral to the occupational therapist may also be recommended to assess the child’s home environment and identify any equipment or adaptations required to support safe daily living. 

This service supports: 

• Children and young people aged 0–18 who live in Clackmannanshire 
• Children with a confirmed disability that significantly affects their everyday activities and is expected to have a long‑term impact 

For further information and support, please access the community directory.

If your child does not meet the threshold for the Children with Disabilities Team, other support may be available such as:

• Central Advocacy Partners
• Scottish Autism
• Citizens Advice Bureau
• Stirling & Clackmannanshire Carers Centre
• Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services – Forth Valley
  • e: fv.camhs@nhs.scot 
  • t: 01324 610 846
• Play Alloa
  • e: connect@playalloa.co.uk 
  • t: 01259 721 511
• Connect Alloa
  • e: dave@connectalloa.org.uk ​
• Ochil Youths Community Improvement
• Clackmannanshire Third Sector Interface

Depending on the need of the child/family the team would refer a specialist service, which may be:  

• Scottish Autism 
• Plus Forth Valley
• Play Alloa 
• SDS Forth Valley
• Stirling & Clackmannanshire Carers Centre 

Adaptations

Adaptations are changes that can be made to your home to help you live more safely and independently, such as installing handrails or making changes to your bathroom.

Forms

• See our major adaptations page for more information and self assessment form
• See our minor adaptations page for more information and self assessment form

Process

A referral should be made to the Children with Disabilities team for a Section 23 or occupational therapy (OT) assessment. The referral should include comprehensive information regarding the child’s needs, current supports, and any associated risks. 

Self Referral form links

If you would like to request an assessment, please fill out the self referral form.

If you are a parent/carer and your child is aged 16–18 and is likely to need ongoing support as they transition into adulthood, you can use the form below to request an assessment:

• Transition Planning Request Form