Health services for children under 5

Find health services for children aged 5 and under

Many children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) will have their needs met by an everyday health service.

Most local healthcare services, such as GPs, dentists, and opticians, can help your child or young person through everyday appointments. These are known as universal services and are available to all children and young people.

If you feel your child needs a more specialised service because of their disability or medical condition, ask your GP, dentist or other healthcare professional about how you can get a referral and if it is right for you.

You can help shape local health services by sharing feedback with Healthwatch Wokingham Borough.

Health visitors

The health visiting team provide support and advice during the first 5 years of your child's life.

You will be offered regular health and development reviews, also known as health visitor checks, for your child until they are around 2. These are to support you and your child’s development.

You can also get in touch with the health visiting team using the ChatHealth service.

Find out more on the Berkshire Healthcare website.

Health services at Children's Centres

Children’s centres offer a range of activities and services for children under 5 including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

They are free to use and offer NHS antenatal classes, Child Health Clinics and Breastfeeding Network (BfN) support groups.

Find out more about local Children's Centres.

Support with your child’s communication

Early Years online language development workshops

These workshops allow you to learn about different strategies to support your child.

Sign up for workshops on the Berkshire Healthcare NHS website.

NHS Berkshire speech and language phone line

If you have a concern about your child’s communication, you can call the NHS Berkshire speech and language therapy phone line.

To use the service, your child must be aged 5 or under and registered with a Berkshire GP. It is also available to those working with children.

Phone: 0118 904 3700

Opening hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 9am to 3.30pm.

For more advice and information on different issues that might affect your child's communication go to the Berkshire Healthcare NHS website.

Local and national health support services

NHS Berkshire Healthcare provides health services for children and young people and their families.

Use our SEND Local Offer directory to find local and national health support services for children who have a health condition or disability and their families.

Search the SEND Local Offer directory for health services.