Children’s Disability Network Teams
What is a Children’s Disability Network Team?
A Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT) provides supports and services for children who have complex needs associated with a disability. Our teams strive to provide high quality, family centred services to children and families in line with the values of Horizons.
Our Supports
What will the support we receive look like?
We will offer supports in a variety of formats, depending on the needs and goals identified by your family.
We are committed to providing the best possible support to all families. However, due to limited resources, we do not have the capacity to provide access to all services immediately. Your child will be placed on a waiting list for services, and we will notify you as soon as we have availability.
Shared Learning
Information sessions, talks and workshops can be a valuable source of information about a common experience that families of children with complex needs experience and provide you with tools to use in your journey of supporting your child in this area. Examples may include;
- how to help your child sleep through the night
- toilet training for children who have extra needs
- supporting your child to develop their language and communication
- how to prepare your child for the move from primary to secondary school
- how to help your child play with other children and develop friendships
Targeted Groups for Children and/or their Caregivers
We run several evidence-based group interventions for children who have similar needs, or, for the child’s caregivers. Examples include:
- Hanen programmes for developing communication
- Family Lámh Course
- Non-Violent Resistence Training
- Parents Plus Special Needs
One-to-One Therapy
Your child may have needs that require 1:1 assessment or individual support.
We offer:
- Physical skills: If your child has differences in how they move or with their posture, they may require an assessment by a Physiotherapist and/or an Occupational Therapist.
- Feeding, eating, drinking and swallowing (FEDS): If your child needs support to safely eat and drink food, they may require an assessment by a Speech and Language Therapist.
- Communication: If your child would benefit from exploring additional methods to support their communication, they may benefit from an assessment by a Speech and Language Therapist.
- Several team members collaborate with you to develop an Individual Family Support Plan (IFSP) for your child.
Consultation with Other Service Providers
We collaborate with several services that may also support your child, such as:
- Their school team
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS) teams
- TUSLA (the Child and Family Agency)
- National Educational Psychology Service (NEPS)
How do I make a referral?
Children from birth to 18 years may be referred to Children’s Disability Network Teams. Parents can refer their child themselves, or a health or education professional can support you with this.
How do I know which CDNT to contact?
Children’s Disability Network Teams are provided based on your home address.
Horizons Children’s Disability Network Teams cover the following areas:
East Central Cork (CDNT 6)
Areas covered: Midleton, Youghal and surrounding areas
Email: cdnt6@horizonscork.ie
Phone: 021 463 7840
Central Cork (CDNT 8)
Areas covered: Mayfield, Montenotte, Tivoli, The Glen, Blackpool, Carrignavar, St Patricks
Email: corkcentralcdnt@horizonscork.ie
Phone: 021 464 3140
North Cork City and Blarney (CDNT 9)
Areas covered: City Centre, Blarney, Sundays Well, Fairhill, Farranree, Gurranebraher, Knocknaheeney
Email: cdnt9@horizonscork.ie
Phone: 021 455 5141
HSE Area Finder
If you are unsure whether your home address falls into one of these areas, you can enter your address into the HSE Area Finder, and the CDNT linked with your home address will be listed: HSE Area Finder
A full list of the 91 CDNTs in Ireland, as well as their contact details, is available here: Find your local children’s disability network team (CDNT) – HSE.ie