Getting support for children, young people and parents
Examples of Support
Finding out about, and telling others about, HD
Getting information and support when you need it ( e.g. life in an HD family, education, career advice, being a young carer, living with a parent’s HD changes, emotional wellbeing & coping skills, inclusion, access to services, living with genetic risk & testing, family planning, loss and bereavement, being safe, fostering, adoption )
Key Services and People
HD Service ( HD Clinical Lead , HD Specialists, Specialist Youth Advisor, Financial Wellbeing Officer )
Scottish Huntington’s Association Youth Project (SHAYP) / Specialist Youth Advisors
School Guidance Teachers/ Pastoral Care Workers ( Inverclyde , East Dunbartonshire , West Dunbartonshire , East Renfrewshire , Renfrewshire , Glasgow )
Services for young carers ( Inverclyde , East Dunbartonshire , West Dunbartonshire , East Renfrewshire , Renfrewshire , Glasgow City )
Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services
Local Authority – Children & Education Services ( Inverclyde , East Dunbartonshire , West Dunbartonshire , East Renfrewshire , Renfrewshire , Glasgow City )
Multi Disciplinary Teams /Allied Health Professional teams in the community (e.g. Speech & Language Therapy, Dietetics , Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy )
Social Care Services (Adults) ( Inverclyde , East Dunbartonshire , West Dunbartonshire , East Renfrewshire , Renfrewshire , Glasgow City )
Huntington’s Disease Youth Organisation (HDYO)
Scottish Huntington’s Association Carers’ Forum
Integrated Multi Agency Arrangements, Referral Pathways and Resources
All young people living in a family with Huntington’s disease who need support should be offered a referral to an HD Specialist Youth Advisor There is an open referral mechanism and young people, parents, health & social care professionals or family members may also make a referral.
Information about the Scottish Huntington’s Association Youth Service should be clearly identified on G.P. information services, such as SCI Gateway and/or GGC Referral Directory
HD Specialist Youth Advisors will liaise appropriately with members of the multi-agency team.
Where parents or young people do not wish to be referred to Specialist Youth Advisors, information and advice may be provided by HD Specialists with the Youth Service providing support where required.
NB: All staff have a responsibility with regards to the protection and wellbeing of children. HD Specialists/ HD Specialist Youth Advisors in particular will participate in multi-agency working when required.
Standards
All enquiries to Scottish Huntington’s Association should have a response within 4 weeks.
All support is delivered within the GIRFEC framework and in accordance with the Children’s Act 2014 and the Curriculum for Excellence .
Outcomes
Children, young people, parents and their families have access to accurate information about HD, are well connected to support and services, feel less isolated and more able to cope with HD in their family.