Equipment is essential for some children and young people to live their life within their community, home or education setting.  

An assessment will be undertaken by one or two of a number of professionals depending on the equipment being considered. This assessment will take place either at home, in an education setting or in a specialist clinic depending on the equipment required.

Services that can support you with being assessed for specialist equipment and adaptation:

• Supportive positioning and mobility equipment such as walking frames, standing frames and sleep systems (used during the night to help protect body shape and provide better positioning support) should be assessed by Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Physiotherapy service.
   
• Specialist beds, cots, mattresses, bathing/ showering aids and toileting aids (such as special potties or toilet seats) are assessed by Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Occupational Therapists or the City of Wolverhampton Council Independent Living Service which is part of Social Care.
   
• Continence products for children and young people with day and/or night-time, bladder and bowel continence problems are assessed by the Community Children’s Nursing service.
   
• Specialist supportive seating for home and school are assessed by the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Occupational Therapists or the City of Wolverhampton Council Independent Living Service.
   
• Specialist car seat for your child are assessed by Regional Driving Assessment Centre (RDAC) who work closely with a child or young person’s therapist to ensure a suitable seating position is achieved.
   
• Moving and handling equipment (hoists and slings) may be assessed by Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Occupational Therapists or the City of Wolverhampton Council Independent Living Service.
   
• For children and young people who are deaf, hard of hearing or who have a visual impairment will be able to access specialist equipment to support their education through the Sensory Inclusion Service. This could include assistive technology including radio aids as well as magnifiers.
   
• For other types of small equipment, such as adapted cutlery, writing tools, scissors etc, school will be the first point of contact to advise about any equipment required to help your child access and participate in school life.

Useful links

• Children with disabilities
• Requesting an Adult Social care assessment
• Direct Payment - Employing a personal assistant to support you
• How to care for a disabled child
• Support Dogs
• Disability charity Scope UK
• Living Made Easy

Finding your own equipment

It is best practice to utilise the services in obtaining equipment as they will provide specialist advice and assistance and follow up care. 

However, if families choose to purchase their own specialist equipment, then they are fully responsible for checking for growth, adjustments, maintenance and servicing. 

There are many companies that offer equipment you can choose to buy from. There are also charities that can help with buying equipment. It is best to discuss these options with the services before you do purchase equipment.

Voluntary and community organisations to contact

Help with grants or equipment from voluntary and community organisations

Contact support families with guidance, helpline, workshops, charity shop and more. Information and advice are available about a range of subjects including finances, early years support, education and more.

Fledgings is Contact’s not-for-profit shop, supplying life-changing products, clothing and equipment for disabled children that help with their everyday challenges.

Newlife charity for disabled children is a charity based in Cannock who loan specialist toys and equipment, offer support for equipment grants as well as help with emergency equipment loan.

Variety is a charity who offer specialist equipment grants and funding for wheelchairs.

The Family Fund are UK’s largest charity providing grants to families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people and living on a low income, can apply for a wide range of grant items, such as washing machines, sensory toys, family breaks, bedding, tablets, furniture, outdoor play equipment, clothing and computers.  There are eligibility criteria, which can be found on their website.

Caudwell Children is a charity with an aim to help change the future of disabled and autistic children by providing practical and emotional support including providing specialist equipment and sensory packs to help them lead a full and active life.

React is a charity working to improve the quality of life for children up to the age of 18 with life-limiting illnesses living in financially disadvantaged households. They supply a wide range of equipment from specialist wheelchairs, beds, baths and mobility aids to essential everyday homecare items like pushchairs and domestic appliances. This may include educational equipment to ensure a child’s developmental needs are met. They also provide React Holidays at one of React’s mobile holiday homes, funeral expenses and memorial headstones. You can also contact the charity to discuss whether a child might be eligible.

The Children’s Bowel and Bladder Charity is the UK’s leading charity supporting all children and teenagers with a bowel or bladder problem.