Multidisciplinary assessments

What is the Ryegate Children’s Centre?

The Ryegate Children’s Centre is part of the Sheffield Children’s hospital. It is the centre for assessment and treatment of children with special needs. Children are usually referred to Ryegate by a doctor. Parents and carers who are concerned by a child’s development can approach their doctor or health visitor and ask them to make a referral.

How long will the assessment last?

The assessment usually happens over 2 days from around 9.30am to 4pm each day. A member of the nursing staff will plan a timetable for you and will be available throughout your visit to help you and answer any questions you may have.

Why a multidisciplinary team?

We realise that your child’s difficulties may be affected by a variety of factors. Having a range of people around at the same time saves you from having to go to different departments for appointments. It also means that support can be planned between members of the team.

During your assessment you and your child will meet different members of the Ryegate team.

Who will be in this team?

Doctors

Doctors will want to know about your child’s birth, development and current problems, and they will oversee the assessment.

Teachers

Teachers are interested in how your child learns, they will be able to give you information about the services available and will help you get support.

Physiotherapists

Physiotherapists are interested in your child’s movement and posture development. Their aim is to help your child achieve a maximum potential.

Occupational therapists

Occupational therapists are particularly interested in the movement of your child’s arms and hands and how they can manage with bathing, dressing, feeding and playing. They can give you advice on specialised equipment in the home.

Speech and Language therapist

Speech and language therapists are interested in the way children communicate with others. They are also interested in the way a child understands other people. They are able to give you help and advice on feeding difficulties.

Psychologist

Psychologists are interested in the way children think, feel, learn and how they react to situations. Some children have emotional difficulties and parents may need help sorting out these problems. Parents often find it helpful to talk to a psychologist about their own feelings.

Orthoptist

Orthoptists will want to know how well your child can see. If your child has a problem with their vision they will arrange further investigations.

Audiology technicians

Audiology technicians will want to assess your child’s ability to hear and differentiate between sounds. An appointment will be made for your child at the audiology department at the Sheffield Children’s hospital, before the assessment.

Social workers

Social workers are able to visit families at home to advise on benefits or offer help with other difficulties arising from a child’s disability. A social worker will contact you during or following the assessment.

Will I need to stay with my child?

A parent or carer will need to stay with your child throughout the assessment to offer support and also answer the therapist’s questions.