The Children and Young People with Disabilities (CYPD) Hub in London Borough of Barking and Dagenham (LBBD) is central to the borough’s commitment to inclusive and community-led support for children with disabilities and their families.
Based at the Becontree Community Hub, the CYPD Hub provides a blend of early help, group work, targeted interventions, and practical support for families navigating life with additional support needs. As one of the borough’s flagship services, the hub embodies a holistic and person-centred approach that places children at the heart of its offer.
Open daily, the CYPD hub supports families with children aged 0-17 with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND). Its team of social workers and Early Intervention Workers play a pivotal role in providing long and short-term support, helping families navigate the wider social care landscape. This includes support with school transitions, complex health needs, and the shift from children’s to adults’ services.
Beyond one-to-one work, the hub offers a broad programme of inclusive activities from ‘Play & Communicate’ sessions for under-5s, to structured ‘Inspire Youth to Achieve’ workshops for those aged 11 and over. These sessions support children’s communication and creativity skills, building confidence and enabling independence. Staff work closely with parents, adapting sessions based on feedback and ensuring that the borough’s SEND provision responds to the lived experiences of the community.
The CYPD Hub’s success lies in its collaborative, community-focused approach. Events including regular coffee mornings, on topics like autism awareness and puberty education, empower families with knowledge and offer a chance to connect with people with similar lived experiences. The centre is equipped to meet a wide range of physical and developmental needs, and parents or carers can also receive training to use the space independently.
LBBD’s support for young people with SEND and their families also includes the ‘Preparing for Adulthood’ pathway, which has five core principles: personalisation, preparation, transparency, independence, and partnership. This aims to ensure a seamless transition for older adolescents as they move from children’s social care to receiving support as an adult in the borough.
The borough’s social workers and early intervention workers are not only central to the success of the hub, but key to its future. As the borough looks to further develop its CYPD offer, skilled workers will continue to be vital in identifying need, designing responsive services, and advocating for children and families at every stage. Carolyn Greenaway, LBBD’s CYPD Head of Service, voiced her pride in the hub’s journey. The borough is looking for a unique and exceptional Team Manager to lead the hub.
‘’It has been exciting to see our CYPD Hub thrive over the last year, reaching out to families from the many diverse communities of LBBD and offering a welcoming and safe space for children and parents. We now have almost 1000 families registered with the Hub and our holiday programmes are always full and buzzing with children having fun. Our Early Intervention Workers also visit families at home to offer support and advice, helping to resolve issues before they escalate.’’
‘’We are now looking for a manager with a unique set of skills to develop our CYPD Hub to the next level, building on the established programme but working with parents and partner agencies to identify new opportunities. An understanding of Tier 2 service provision and a passion for supporting children and young people with disabilities to achieve their full potential are key requirements, along with strong partnership working.’’
Carolyn Greenaway, Barking and Dagenham
The ideal candidate will be a qualified, experienced team manager skilled in supporting disabled children, managing budgets, leading a busy team, and collaborating with partners to ensure effective services that deliver positive outcomes.
Explore and apply for this role here!
You can find out more about working in Barking & Dagenham, and their current children’s social work opportunities, below.