The UK Health Security Agency has issued a Yellow Heat Health Alert for the West Midlands from 12pm on 4 July to 8pm on 11 July 2026. These alerts are a reminder for everyone to take extra care during the hot weather and to look out for those who may need additional support. For advice on staying cool, signs of heat exhaustion, swimming safely outdoors, fire safety, and more: Summer wellbeing
We support children and young people, aged from birth to 18, with learning or physical disabilities, special educational needs or autism to live independent, happy and fulfilling lives.
What help and support is available?
For children and young people, aged from birth to 18, with a diagnosed disability, or autism.
We work with young people from 14 years old who have complex needs and disabilities to transition from children’s to adult services.
We promote and maximise opportunities for young people to be as independent as possible and to be part of local communities. This is achieved via a range of appropriate pathways that support individuals to have choice, control and to achieve their individual aspirations.
Also view at the bottom of this page a factsheet on benefit entitlements if a young person goes on to attend a residential college.
For children and young people from birth to 18 with a diagnosed disability or autism. Short Breaks can assist carers to allow them to continue to provide care or to do so more effectively, provide the benefit of a break from caring responsibilities for both you and your child.
Assessments
Understanding an individuals needs is the first step to getting the right decision about the care and support they may need. There is an assessment for each person who uses the Dudley Disability Service, which will identify if there will be a cost for any support provided. However many of our services are provided free of charge.
We have a key responsibility to help ensure the wellbeing of children and young people this is assessed through our Children and Family Care Assessment.
A carer's assessment is an opportunity for you to discuss with us your needs and feelings as a carer and the support or services you need to help you continue caring.
A direct payment is a payment paid to families/carers to provide care instead of Children’s Services providing the care directly. Direct payments give you more choice and control over how support services are provided.
Referrals from anyone who works with children should be made by completing a Multi Agency Referral Form (MARF) below.
We are committed to providing high quality, affordable services to you. There are times when we do things well and we would love to hear about them! There may also be times when things go wrong and you are left unhappy or dissatisfied. Please help us to ensure we deliver the best quality services appropriate to your needs.
