Child development — Wellington, Hutt and Kapiti

To contact the child development service email cds_admin@ccdhb.org.nz

Wellington

Ewart Building
2b Coromandel Street
Newtown 6021
Phone: 04 918 6399

Ewart Building — Google Maps (external link)

Porirua

Kenepuru Community Hospital
16 Hospital Drive
Porirua 5022
Phone: 04 918 2800

Kenepuru Community Hospital — Google Maps (external link)

Puketiro Centre
30a Kenepuru Drive
Porirua 5022
Phone: 04 237 9273

Puketiro Centre —Google Maps (external link)

Kapiti

Kāpiti Health Centre
Warrimoo Street 
Paraparaumu 5032
Phone: 04 918 2800

Kāpiti Health Centre — Google Maps (external link)

The child development service works with tamariki from birth to 16 years of age where there is a concern regarding:

• an identified disability
• development delay or disability
• risk of developmental delay or disability
• autism spectrum disorder.

Definition of disability — Whaikaha | Ministry of Disabled People (external link)

It is a free service for New Zealand citizens or those who are entitled to publicly funded healthcare.

Guide to eligibility for public health services (external link)

We see children at the child development centres or, where appropriate, at:

• home
• preschool
• school.

We can arrange an interpreter if needed.

The child development service is not an acute service and does not replace the services of your GP or usual healthcare provider. Contact them for urgent issues and routine health needs, such as repeat prescriptions and Work and Income forms.

Assessment

We will assess your child's development using standardised assessments, observation and discussion with whānau to identify strengths and areas of difficulty.

With your permission, we will also talk to other involved people, such as teachers.

Areas we may assess:

• gross motor skills
• fine motor skills
• feeding
• self-care
• specialised equipment needed for the home
• home safety adaptation
• language and communication
• play and learning
• intellectual function
• medical or diagnosis.

Intervention and therapy

Following assessment, intervention or therapy is planned with the tamaiti and whānau to meet their identified needs.

Child support and liaison

We can help families access:

• information
• support
• other services.

We have links with community services and education providers.

Consent

We require your signed permission to assess and provide therapy or intervention for your tamaiti.

We are a teaching hospital and may ask your permission to have students and other health professionals observe or take part in the assessment or therapy.

A referral for this service must come from a healthcare provider such as a doctor or a needs assessor.

Parent consent must be given before a referral is made.