Mencap Children’s Centre provides a unique funded early years’
service
A service gives people what they need, like healthcare services that help people when they are ill, and support services that give people support.
for children aged 2-3 years with significant developmental delay.
The programme offers play, therapy and care in the child’s penultimate pre-school year, supporting that important
transition
Transition means changing from one thing to another. Transition sometimes means things like when you change from having children's
social care
Social care means the services that give care and support to people who need it.
to adult social care.
to nursery school.
The service would not be possible without the partnership with Belfast Health and Social Care Trust (BHSCT) and the team of allied health professionals that work alongside Mencap’s Early Years team and Family Support team to provide a holistic, caring approach for children with
learning disability
A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things.
and their families.
52 spaces are allocated each year for children aged 2 by the 1 July of the year of entry and live in either the Belfast or South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust areas.
How to apply
Application for this service begins each January and referrals are made by health and social care workers that are currently supporting your child.
To be eligible your child must be in receipt of a minimum of two therapies, such as a Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy and considered to have significant developmental delay.
For more information on our selection criteria and how to apply please get in touch with us on 028 9069 1351 or email childrenscentre@mencap.org.uk .
Play, Therapy and Care
The Mencap Children’s Centre aims to provide a stimulating, caring and therapeutic play environment, working in a multi-disciplinary approach.
This includes the Mencap Early Years Team, the Family Support Team and the Belfast Health Trust therapists.
The key workers for your child will offer care and learning through play and therapy opportunities to ensure they can reach their potential outcomes.
Our staff will use a variety of strategies and evidence based approaches including Attention
Autism
Autism is a disability. Autistic people find it difficult to understand what other people think and feel. They also find it difficult to tell people what they think and feel. Everyone with autism is different.
, Elklan, Tac Pac, PECs, Makaton and TEACCH that meets your child’s individual learning needs.
The Early Years team
The qualified and dedicated Early Years Team work to observe and assess your child. Each child is provide with a set of learning goals and this is supported using the evidence-based HighScope approach.
Incorporating this early childhood care and
education
Education is when you learn things. When you fill in a form to get a job, education means you write where you went to school, college or university.
curriculum we identify your child’s strengths, interests, abilities and plan their sessions to ensure a stimulating and enjoyable environment.
You will be invited to attend parent-keyworker consultations throughout the year. We will provide you with updates and regular reports on how your child is progressing, advising on what we are currently working on with your child. We also really value your input in this.
The Therapy team
A team of fantastic Belfast Health Trust therapists including physiotherapists, speech and language therapists and occupational therapists are based at the Mencap Children’s Centre. They will carry out assessments with your child and will agree with you a care plan.
This is continually reviewed and will be incorporated into your child’s weekly sessions at the centre. Your child’s key worker will support your child to achieve their goals through a programme of play, therapy and care.
Families also have a big part to play in their child’s development. The therapy team will organize and deliver parent training workshops throughout the year to support you with your child’s needs.
Special events at Mencap Centre
We invite family and friends to join us to celebrate children's talents at our special events.
Nativity
All families and friends are invited to join us for our nativity performances in December. Each child has their own part to play in the nativity story, making it a very special occasion.
Graduation
The children work hard throughout their year and our end of year graduation recognises and celebrates their individual efforts. Another very special day.
Supporting parents
Mencap Centre is a family-friendly place and is as much for the parents and families as it is for the children using the early years’ service. We know that many parents will still be adjusting to the fact their child may have a lifelong disability and that this can be an emotional and challenging time, so we operate an ‘open door' policy in order to provide you with as much support and advice as possible.
Parent and keyworker meeting
Alongside our ‘open door’ policy, up to 3 times per year you will be invited by your child’s key worker to attend a parent – keyworker meeting. We will update you with how your child is progressing and will provide you with a short report. At the end of the year will send on a final report to your child’s chosen nursery school to support their transition.
Paediatric Clinics
Parents will be invited by their paeditricians to bring their child to the Mencap Centre for their review clinics. During this visit your child will be assessed by the therapists and the consultant paediatrician. You will have the opportunity to discuss your child’s progress with each of these professionals. It is an ideal opportunity for you to raise any issues that concern you and for us to find out if there's anything else we can do for you.
Makaton training
Makaton is the main form of communication for a considerable number of children in the centre. Our speech and language therapists provide excellent support in the use of Makaton in the early years’ service and also provide training for parents and siblings so that you can communicate with your child at home and help develop their communication skills further.
Outdoor play days
We recognise the importance of outdoor play for all children and the benefits to their development. Outdoor play is included in all your child’s sessions at the centre but each month we will plan for 1 session to be outdoors. The children enjoy the access to our beautiful gardens and play areas.
For more information on our Children's Centre please email childrenscentre@mencap.org.uk or telephone 028 9069 1351.