Community paediatrics

Contact us

The team covers the following areas in Kent:

North and west Kent

0300 123 4087
kcht.CommunityPaediatrics@nhs.net

South east Kent:

Ashford
01233 651922
ekh-tr.childhealthashford@nhs.net

Folkestone
01303 854461
ekh-tr.childhealthshepway@nhs.net

Dover
01304 222521
ekh-tr.childhealthbhd@nhs.net

Canterbury
01227 864128
ekh-tr.childhealthcanterbury@nhs.net

Thanet
01843 235145 / 01303 854461
ekh-tr.childhealththanet@nhs.net / ekh-tr.childhealthshepway@nhs.net

For referral information and our referral form please see our How to refer section below.

Clinic locations

Appointment information

School appointments

On arrival at the school, please report to reception and advise them who you are and what time your appointment is.

Video appointments

You will be sent a link to join the video call by text or email. If you have not received the link, please check your junk or spam folders and contact us as soon as possible if you cannot find it.
For some appointments a ‘live link’ will be sent to you by text message as the appointment starts. Please check your appointment information.

Telephone appointments

You will be called by a withheld or private number. We will contact you on the number we have on record for you at the time of your appointment.

How we can help

What happens at your appointment?

Child showing emotions pointing to a smiley face

Paediatric questionnaires and forms

Transition to adult services

What do I do if I need immediate help?

For any emergency situation please dial 999 or attend your local A&E department.

Call your local Community Paediatric Service

North and west Kent

0300 123 4087
kcht.CommunityPaediatrics@nhs.net

South East Kent

Ashford
01233 651922
ekh-tr.childhealthashford@nhs.net

Folkestone
01303 854461
ekh-tr.childhealthshepway@nhs.net

Dover
01304 222521
ekh-tr.childhealthbhd@nhs.net

Canterbury
01227 866482
ekh-tr.childhealthcanterbury@nhs.net

Thanet
01843 235145 / 01303 854461
ekh-tr.childhealththanet@nhs.net / ekh-tr.childhealthshepway@nhs.net

Please note that we only operate between the hours of 8am and 5pm Monday to Friday and cannot assist with emergency situations.

Contact your local Children’s and Young People Mental Health Service (NELFT)

If you are in crisis or require out of hours support please call SPA available 24 hours a day, on 0800 011 3474. They will listen and talk through the support available to you and your child.

You can visit NELFT website or phone the SPA as above.

The Children and Young People's Mental Health Service (CYPMHS) provides emotional wellbeing and mental health advice and support for young people and their families across Kent.

This service is available to young people from birth to 18-years-old (up until their 19th birthday) and up until the age of 25 for young people with special educational needs or as part of a wider network of support for children and young people in the care of the local authority.

CYPMHS offers advice and support for stress, low mood and depression, anxiety, self-harm or difficult to manage behaviours and support for neurodevelopmental difficulties such as ADHD or ASD.

The way in which we offer support can differ for each person because every journey is unique. We are currently leading the way with our innovative digital support for young people and we have a number of resources available online. These are freely available and do not require a referral to our service.

For some young people, their emotional wellbeing may be having a significant impact on their day-to-day life. In these cases, we may offer a short period of face to face support either in one to one session or in a group.

If your child is ill

If your child is ill, please visit your local pharmacy first. They will tell you if your child needs to see a doctor (GP). If your child has signs of serious illness, contact your doctor directly, or take them straight to the A&E department of your local hospital.

KCC Early help, support for families

Please access Kent.gov.uk website or call 03000 41 41 41 for more information.

Early help offer wide ranging support for example:

you are worried about your child's behaviour
you are struggling to cope
you are worried about your family finances
your child is struggling to cope with bereavement
your child is being bullied
your child refuses to go to school or college
you or your child want to develop new friends and have new experiences
you are having difficulties with family relationships.

Who we are

Illustration of nurse talking to a child

We are a team of consultant paediatricians, specialist nurses, health care assistants and administrators.

What we do

Our service can assess, diagnose and support children with development disorders such as cerebral palsy, developmental delay, autism spectrum conditions, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and muscular dystrophy. We can advise the child’s parents/carers on useful resources and other sources of support. We can contribute towards Educational Health Care Plans (EHCPs). We also have expertise in safeguarding, child protection and looked after children (LAC).

Who we see

All ADHD assessment referrals for east Kent children, previously managed by EKHUFT, are to continue to be sent to NELFT as per the existing process.

North and west Kent

The community paediatrics service assesses children and their families for:

Assessments for motor disorders, neurodevelopmental conditions, neurodisability, physical and sensory medical disorders
Developmental assessments
Sexual abuse assessments in partnership with the sexual abuse referral centre and emotional abuse and neglect with associated developmental concerns
Medical advice as part of the Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) process for children who may have additional educational needs
Looked after children’s health assessments
Specialist diagnostic clinics for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) for children under 11 years*
Assessment of Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) for children under 11 years*
We offer a parent strategy group following a child having a confirmed diagnosis of ADHD
If a diagnosis of ADHD is made we can offer ADHD medication reviews should medication be chosen and we work in partnership with GP practices for this under shared care guidelines
We work closely with a number of other services to provide effective joined up care and complete joint assessments with therapists for the assessment of motor and social communication disorders
We are able to provide advice on the following areas should they form part of a developmental assessment. The following areas are advised on when they form part of a developmental assessment when carried out by a Paediatrician (not carried out in isolation): sleep problems, enuresis/ encopresis, eating difficulties, tantrums.

*children and young people over 11 years are seen by NELFT child and young persons neurodevelopmental and learning disability service. Please refer to NELFT website.

South east Kent only

What we do

Our Community Child Health Team sees children with concerns about their development and children with physical disabilities. We also see children who:

might have autism
are at risk of abuse
are in care
are seeking asylum from other countries.

As part of our assessments, we work with therapists, clinical psychologists and clinical nurse specialists. We also work with social services and other agencies to safeguard the children in our care.

About your appointment

Your first appointment will be within 18 weeks of referral and will last for one hour. For children who are accepted on to the autism pathway, your second appointment for a full assessment will be up to 14 months after being accepted on to the pathway, and will be with a doctor, therapist, psychologist or clinical nurse specialist. Sometimes it may involve more than one professional. It may be longer than a standard appointment. Sometimes an appointment could last two hours. At times, appointments might occur in school or at home.

Referrals

All ADHD assessment referrals for east Kent children, previously managed by EKHUFT, are to continue to be sent to NELFT as per the existing process.

North and west Kent

Please note that we can only accept referrals from professionals working with the family.

We are unable to accept referrals directly from families. If your child is in school or nursery, they are ideally placed to make the referral for you or this can be completed by a health professional.

We can only accept referrals for children who are registered with a GP in west Kent and Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley CCG or have an address within west Kent, Dartford, Gravesham or Swanley.

To check if the GP falls into our area, please check the ICB website before making a referral: Primary care networks NHS Kent and Medway (ICB website). If you are a parent or carer seeking support please speak to your child’s school/nursery or other professional working with your child.

South east Kent only

Your child can be referred to Community Child Health by the Health visitor, the school, GP or by other professionals.

Referrals for preschool children

Referrals for preschool children must be made via the NHS Children’s Care Coordinating Team (NHSCCCT). All children < 4 years old with difficulties in 2 or more developmental areas should be referred into this service using our referral form.

South east Kent - Children's Care Coordination Team referral form

A referral to Portage can be made at the same time for those children not in nursery. If children are in nursery a nursery report should be included.

Children not yet in nursery but with concerns about possible ASD should also be referred via the NHSCCCT.

Children in nursery with concerns about possible ASD should be referred with a nursery report, and any other assessment reports, for example, speech and language.

Children referred for a developmental assessment can be referred using the referral form; please include any assessments already completed and a clear reason for the request.

Where a child is due to start school in the September (and the concerns relate to social communication) the referral should go via the school age below if the referral is being sent after April.

The referrals should be sent to the relevant email address on the referral form.

Referrals for school age children

Referrals from school - please contact the service.

Children with concerns about possible ASD – please include a school report and any assessments already completed.

Transfers into our area – please send copies of all reports.

Referral information

How to make a referral

We can only accept referrals for children who are registered with a GP in West Kent and Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley CCG or have an address within West Kent, Dartford, Gravesham or Swanley.To check if the GP falls into our area, please check the ICB website before making a referral: Primary care networks NHS Kent and Medway (icb.nhs.uk).To check if the GP falls into our area, please check ICB website before making referral: Primary care networks NHS Kent and Medway (icb.NHS.uk).If you are a parent or carer seeking support please speak to your child’s school/ nurse or other professional working with your child.

If you are a parent or carer seeking support please speak to your child’s school/ nurse or other professional working with your child.
In order to ensure your referral is accepted it is essential that the referral details clear evidence that you would like the child to assessed against one or more of the areas we provide services for. Please see the section on this website ‘Who we see’.
As the referrer you will need to gather information prior to making the referral to ensure you have this evidence in place. Please follow the process as below.
We can only accept online referrals made via this website (should there be any difficulties with completing an online referral it is advised that you contact the service either by telephone or email).

Referral process

As the professional working with the family you will need to co-ordinate the collection of the referral information and make the referral. Please ensure all supplementary information is completed and attached to the referral. It is essential that there is information from the family/ carers and the child’s school/ nursery. The referral cannot be processed without completed information.
You will need to utilise the forms provided on this website to send out to the family/carers and school/ nursery. Please request that this information is sent back to you as the referrer.
All referrals must include the following supplementary information, the forms for these are available in the referral:
A ‘Background Information Sheet’ that the family/ carers complete to detail family and child medical, social and developmental history.
Nursery - school report (unless the child is not in education)
For referrals where ADHD is considered you will need to provide the following questionnaires:

For referrals regarding Autism Spectrum Condition and other social/ communication concerns the service will send screening forms after a referral is made.
You may decide to add the following information to support a referral, but this is not essential and will not affect the referral being accepted:

Our process for new referrals and follow-up appointments

Referral

The professional referring the child will gain consent from the child’s parent/ carer in order to make a referral and gather the required information as laid out in ‘How to make a referral’ (information from the school/ nursery and parent/ carer is required for a referral to be accepted, they will then complete the online referral form.

Triage/ screening

Once all forms are completed the referral will screen to ensure the child has been referred to the most appropriate service, once this is confirmed the referral will be accepted. Should the referral be in regard to concerns with social communication difficulties/ ASD our team will send out specific screening questionnaires to the parent/ carer and the child’s nursery/school.

Outcome

The referral will be allocated to a paediatrician who will triage the referral to ensure the child is seen in the most appropriate clinic. The referrer will be notified of acceptance of the referral. If the referral does not meet the service criteria the referrer will be notified and advised of where to refer the child to.

Initial assessment

A detailed history will be taken and an assessment of current concerns. A plan of care will be agreed which may include further assessments and a recommended follow-up time will be given.

A medical report will be written and shared with the parents/carers and GP following the appointment. The service follows a clinical priority process when writing and distributing medical reports. This may result in some people waiting longer than others before their report is distributed.

Follow-up appointments

The timescale for follow-up appointments will depend on the individual needs of children; this timescale will be given as a recommendation in the medical report. We acknowledge that it is not always possible to see children in the recommended timescales and welcome families/carers/ professionals to contact the service should they need advice/support whilst they are waiting for an appointment or if they have new concerns for the child.

Contacting the service for additional support

Should further support/ advice be required or you have new concerns for a child please contact the service on 0300 123 4087.

Our telephone operators will pass you query to the most appropriate person. Should it be a clinical query, our service has duty clinicians on daily who may be able to support you. Our administrative staff will be able to advise on appointments, prescriptions and reports.

Referral criteria

We accept referrals from professionals working with the child and their family for:

Developmental assessments
Assessments for motor disorders, neurodevelopmental conditions, neurodisability, physical and sensory medical disorders.
Assessment for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) for children under 11 years*.
Assessment of Attention deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) for children between six to 11 years of age*.

*children and young people over 11 years are seen by NELFT child and young person’s neurodevelopmental and learning disability service. Please refer to the NELFT website NLDS.

Children registered with a GP in West Kent or Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley CCGs and/or living within West Kent, Dartford, Gravesham or Swanley. Please check ICB website before making referral: Primary care networks NHS Kent and Medway (icb.nhs.uk).

We are unable to accept referrals for the following:

Children registered with a GP outside west Kent or Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley CCGs and living outside our area. Please check ICB website before making referral: Primary care networks NHS Kent and Medway (icb.nhs.uk)
Complex behavioural difficulties
Self-harm
Violent and aggressive behaviours
Eating disorders
Tourette’s Syndrome
Mental Health problems (anxiety and depression)
Counselling.

For all of the above please access the single point of access for NELFT via: NELFT website - Kent CYPMHS get in touch

Dyslexia (this is an educational diagnosis)
Sleep problems – please refer to a health visitor / school nurse/ GP (unless there is a neurodevelopment disorder concern).

The following conditions to be referred to acute paediatrics via the child’s GP

Acute medical conditions (excluding acute/chronic psychiatric)
Epilepsy
Failure to thrive
Growth problems
Physical abuse (please contact the local hospitals’ children’s ward if a child protection medical is required)
Constipation
Daytime Enuresis.

If you have concerns for a child with feeding problems please follow this pathway: GP to assess and refer on as needed to paediatric dietician or acute paediatrician.

For children with feeding problems due to a disability please refer to multi-disciplinary feeding team this can also be completed via the child’s GP.

Families outside our area

Families in East Kent should contact East Kent Hospitals University Foundation Trust for further information on autism assessment if your child is under eight years old, and North East London Foundation Trust if your child is over eight years old.

For all ADHD assessment information for families in East Kent, please contact North East London Foundation Trust.

Families in Swale should contact Medway Foundation Trust

Families in Medway should contact Medway Community Healthcare

All children over 11 years old across Kent are referred to North East London Foundation Trust for autism and ADHD assessments.

Community paediatrics referral form

Where do we work from?

The services are provided in a range of venues, depending on the child / young person’s needs as well as local arrangements, these may include:

multi-agency children’s centres
community clinics
GP surgeries.

News for Community Paediatrics

Ambient AI trial

The Community Paediatrics team is trialling the use of AI in some appointments.

When you come to see us for an appointment, your clinician may be using a new computer-based tool to help them write their notes and reports or letters about your visit. The tool is called Tortus - it listens to you and the clinician during the appointment and generates a summary of the discussions. This could allow the clinician to spend less time taking notes or typing on the computer and more time focusing on you and your child. We also hope this will mean we can get our reports sent out sooner.

How does Tortus listen to what I am saying?

Tortus uses ‘ambient’ technology. This means it can turn words spoken by you, your child and the clinician, into written words (text). You might notice that the clinician wears a microphone, or that there is a microphone on a table or desk in the room. Tortus uses artificial intelligence (AI), which has been tested by clinicians. Tortus has been programmed to listen to all of the words spoken during the appointment. At the end of the appointment, Tortus summarises the important clinical content. The clinician will check any documents it produces for accuracy and completeness before approving them.

Is Tortus safe to use in my appointment?

We know that some people have concerns about the use of AI technology. KCHFT has carried out detailed and thorough safety checks to ensure that the technology is secure. Tortus will not keep your words. All data are kept in secure environments and are deleted after your notes are generated at the end of the consultation.

These notes will be copied into your child’s record by the clinician. Only clinician-approved documents will exist in the electronic patient record after the clinic.

Do I have to agree to Tortus being used in my appointment?

If you do not want Tortus to be used during the appointment, or if you change your mind during the session, please let your clinician know and they will stop the software.

Early support for neurodivergent children being rolled out

NHS Kent and Medway is working with Kent County Council and NHS providers to transform the neurodevelopmental support pathway for children and young people. Maidstone will be the first area in the county to launch the 'This is Me' program in December 2024, working towards a full rollout across Kent and Medway from Autumn 2025. When ‘This is Me’ has been introduced in a school, it will be the only method of referral. Children will get help from a new community team without needing a diagnosis. For some, this support will be enough without further referrals.

Find out more about 'This is Me' at the NHS Kent and Medway website.

National disruption of medication supplies to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

There is a national issue with the supply of some ADHD medications, including: Methylphenidate, Lisdexamfetamine, Guanfacine and Atomoxetine.

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85%

Friends and Family test (FFT) question - percentage of positive responses

(Survey feedback from July to September 2025)

You said, we did

The process of collecting hard copy prescriptions is inconvenient.
- July 2025
The service introduced electronic prescribing.

Whilst parents/guardians are speaking with the clinician, there needs to be more toys available in the clinic room to keep children entertained.
- November 2024
The service reviewed the available toys at each site. Every site now has a box with a set list of toys.

It was difficult for parents to find the specific service form on the website that they needed to complete.
- June 2024
The whole of the service website was revamped and direct links to the relevant forms are now sent to parents, in replace of the generic page link.

“Nurses should be able to prescribe ADHD medication to speed up the process for medication reviews.”
- January 2024
We have an Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) working in north Kent who is a prescriber and have also employed a nurse prescriber in west Kent. As of January 2024 two nurses have started prescribing training; one in north Kent and one in west Kent. Our long-term plan is for all nurses to become prescribers.

“More toys for kids in clinic rooms. A range of toys/fidgets for my son to play with so it would be easier to talk to the doctor or telling us on the letter to bring something for our son.”
- January 2024
We have bought a range of new toys which are available in each of our clinic rooms. We now also ask families to bring in something to occupy children during appointments.

“A pathway for care so I know what to expect.”
- January 2024
Working with our parent forum, we have developed easy to ready timelines for ADHD and Autism diagnostic pathways. These are now available on our website and we will signpost to them in future correspondence with families.

Your comments

Previous Next

October 2025
Maidstone

My daughter's ADHD nurse was amazing. So caring and knowledgeable. A great listener and supportive.

September 2025
West Kent

The Paediatrician was very warm, considerate and caring. They took time to establish a rapport with my child. We both thought they were lovely.

August 2025
Maidstone

Very clear advise and sign posting. They asked questions and listened to answers and were not rushed. (ADHD nurse)

August 2025
West Kent

The paediatrician spoke at length with my child to really understand her.

August 2025
West Kent

The nurse paediatrician was very polite, calming and reassuring. My son who doesn't usually like strangers appeared to be comfortable very quickly

December 2024
DGS

On time and thorough. I felt listened to and everything was taken on board, with recommendations on what the next steps are.

November 2024
Maidstone

Very nice nurse. Everything was explained very clearly, warm and nice atmosphere.

October 2024
Maidstone

Helpful, friendly advice. We left feeling positive about the support ourselves and our child will receive. (ADHD Nurse)

October 2024
DGS

The doctor was very patient and compassionate, showed understanding and actively listened. Also provided reassuring feedback and explained the process and what to expect regarding timescales and next steps.

August 2024
West Kent

The appointment was to prescribe ADHD medication for my son. The paediatrician was very informative and explained everything in detail, which put me at ease and listened to everything I wanted to say. I left the clinic very satisfied and confident in continuing my son's care for his condition.

July 2024
Maidstone

The medical professional was fantastic in communicating with my teenage son. Really kind, thoughtful, informative, in just the right way to support my son to listen and take onboard what they were advising. (ADHD Nurse)

July 2024
West Kent

The nurse was very friendly and engaging with my son. Listened very well to any concerns, answered any questions and sent through relevant information to support us, as we continue to wait for assessment.

May 2024
Tunbridge Wells

The ADHD nurse we spoke to was lovely and listened to our daughter and us and made us feel at ease.

April 2024
West Kent

The member of staff was amazing, really explained the process to my son and then explained and reassured me what would happen next.

March 2024
Dartford

My son and I were both welcomed and spoken to warmly and put very much at ease.

February 2024
Maidstone

I was made to feel at ease and listened to.

January 2024
Maidstone

Very friendly and welcoming which is particularly reassuring when dealing with children. Letters for appointments came in good timing and reminders are useful.

May 2023
Maidstone

The paediatrician was professional, friendly and kind. She listened to myself and to my son and involved him in the assessment. It felt like she wanted the best for us. She gave us plenty of time, strategies and guidance.

April 2023
Maidstone

Lovely staff, very friendly and helpful.

April 2023
Maidstone

Very friendly and caring. Managed to communicate positively with my child.

March 2023
Maidstone

Made my child feel welcome and at ease.

March 2023
Maidstone

Understanding approach to patient.

March 2023
Maidstone

Patient, timely, informative, helpful, caring, friendly and honest. (ADHD Nurse)

March 2023
Maidstone

Friendly, no pressure, set clear expectations.

January 2023
Maidstone

Knowledgeable, understanding of issues, friendly and caring.

January 2023
Maidstone

Sam was attentive and took her time interacting with my son very well.

January 2023
Maidstone

Staff were very welcoming and friendly. My daughter was very nervous but she felt at ease thanks to staff's kind, gentle nature and reassurance.

December 2022
Maidstone

Polite and explained the step-by-step process very well.

December 2022
Maidstone

The staff were friendly and approachable. The whole situation made me and my son more comfortable.

December 2022
Maidstone

Very good, good communication, everything has been explained.

June 2022
Dartford

Friendly, polite and always call back.

March 2022
Maidstone

The appointment was on time and no travel needed, and the Nurse was very well informed. (ADHD Nurse)

March 2022
Maidstone

The doctor was so lovely and listened to all of our concerns. Gayatri really took time with us and for that we are very grateful.

March 2022
Dartford

Video call was clear and easy to attend. The Paediatric doctor we saw was also very clear, put my daughter at ease and was very easy to talk to.

February 2022
Sevenoaks

The nurse was very informative and answered our questions. Also made my son feel like he was involved in the decisions about his care. (ADHD Nurse)

February 2022
Gravesend

Good communication with doctor, able to relay any issues easily.

January 2022
Maidstone

Our concerns were listened too and we were reassured with future steps.

January 2022
Dartford

Very informative and included my daughter in the questions.

November 2022
Maidstone

Sam was very professional and patient with my son.

November 2022
Maidstone

Well explained and very friendly clinician putting us both at ease.

November 2022
Maidstone

The process of the test was explained well, and my son enjoyed the test.

November 2022
Maidstone

No waiting time, very prompt. Great customer/client service.

October 2022
Maidstone

Process explained in full detail. Nurse engaged well with daughter and help form a good relationship.

October 2022
Maidstone

Clear instructions. Warm and friendly. Put son at ease.

Recommended

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Pages

Leaflets

Community paediatrics

Contact us

How we can help

Who we are

What we do

Who we see

Referrals

Referral information

Where do we work from?

News for Community Paediatrics

Ambient AI trial

Early support for neurodivergent children being rolled out

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