DCOS support families who have children and young people with behaviour that is challenging to understand and manage due to diagnosed developmental difficulties, disabilities and/or complex lifelong physical health needs. DCOS is a small multidisciplinary team comprised of an occupational therapist, dance and movement psychotherapist, sleep therapist and family therapist.

DCOS works closely alongside children's social workers, schools and health care providers and seeks to promote environments that are enabling and empowering to neurodiversity and physical differences in all its forms.

DCOS supports children and families on an individual basis following referrals from professionals, as well as joining and running several community based groups, such as Stay and Play sessions and parent coffee mornings.

In order to meet the criteria for referral, a child/ren must already be receiving a service from the children with disabilities services within Tower Hamlets children's social care, not already be open to CAMHS and have a diagnosed disability meeting either the A or B criteria below:

Group A:
Children and young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (who also have severe learning disabilities or behaviour which is challenging) or those children and young people whose challenging behaviour is associated with severe learning disabilities or Global Developmental Delay.

Group B:
Children and young people with complex health needs including those with physical and/or learning disabilities, those who require palliative care (continuing care) and those with associated sensory impairments. Complex health needs includes children and young people with profound and multiple learning difficulties and complex and severe medical needs who may also have an additional physical and/or sensory impairment.

Referrals should be made by professionals supporting the child and/or parents. Self-referrals are not accepted.

Contact details for professionsals wishing to make a referral or who would like to discuss a potential referral, can email the team at [email protected]

*Professionals must have consent from parents/carers prior to making any referrals.