Child Development Centre (CDC)

We see children when there are concerns about a child’s development and/ or a child shows challenging behaviour. 
 
The Child Development Centre includes a specialist team that provides an initial assessment of a child’s challenges or difficulties and, where indicated, further investigation, treatment and support.  
 
If you are a parent looking for support while awaiting an appointment, please see the further information section below. 

Service details

The Child Development Centre has a range of different clinics which your child may be seen in.

Your child’s initial assessment will be with a paediatric doctor for a developmental assessment. This appointment will take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. 

Where possible, do not bring siblings to the appointment due to limited space. 

Following this assessment your doctor may recommend referrals to the following services or clinics: 

  • Multi-disciplinary Assessment for children with social communication difficulties. This includes assessments by a paediatrician, speech and language therapist and a clinical psychologist, along with involvement of the child’s nursery or school. 
  • Referrals to therapists, portage, Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) support services or Specialist Early Education Service (SEES). 
  • Medical investigations, where appropriate, and liaison with other paediatric services.
  • Genetics clinics.
  • Joint orthopaedic clinics.
  • Community clinics.  
  • Additional support appointments with a team psychologist.
  • Parent groups for parents/carers with children diagnosed with autism. 

We have very close links with the wider multidisciplinary team, including professionals from health, education, social care and the voluntary sector. Children with complex needs may have a large, collaborative network of professionals around them, known as a ‘team around the child’ approach.

Who is eligible for the service?

The Child Development Centre accepts referrals for children under 5 years who have a GP in the Guildford and Waverley CCG with: 

  • Motor difficulties.
  • Developmental concerns including global delay, motor, language, visual or severe hearing impairment.
  • Learning difficulties.
  • Behavioural difficulties.
  • Neurological concerns.
  • Social communication concerns and/or possible autism.

How to access the service?

We take referrals from GPs, and community and other hospital services.

Contact us

Medical Secretaries:
Clare Moynihan - clare.moynihan@nhs.net
Telephone: 01483 571 122 ext: 4635

Kamila Poddighe Jaworska - k.poddighejaworska@nhs.net
Telephone: 01483 571 122 ext: 2418

We are located in our Guildford hospital: Outpatients 6, Children’s Unit, Level B, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford.

We also run some clinics at Cranleigh.

Meet the team

  • Dr Caroline Salmon - Consultant Paediatrician
  • Dr Joanne Cockeram - Consultant Paediatrician
  • Dr Michael Hardo - Associate Specialist (epilepsy and pre-term developmental)
  • Dr Louise Anderson - Associate Specialist (epilepsy, complex needs, possible seizure)
  • Dr Susan Scott - Specialty Doctor (developmental paediatrics)
  • Dr Amy Hammond - CDC Psychologist
  • Stephanie Lawrance - Epilepsy Nurse
  • Dr Suzanne Alsters - Visiting Genetics Consultant 

Further information

Autism support 

If you have concerns that your child has autism spectrum disorder, you may find the following helpful: 

  • National Autistic Society (opens in new window) offers support and evidence-based advice. 
  • Surrey branch of the National Autistic Society (NAS) (opens in new window) is very active. Parents can join the Surrey NAS for free and will then receive a newsletter every two months with all the activities going on in Surrey.
  • Autism Central (opens in new window) is a helpful website, which has free online workshops including understanding autism, supporting siblings, and sensory needs. They also offer peer support groups. It can be translated into other languages using the accessibility tool.
  • Tooth brushing support and strategies can be accessed on the toothPASTE website (opens in new window). 

Concerns about delays in your child’s speaking

If your child is pre-school/ nursery 

You can either self-refer, or your HV/GP/SENCO can refer your child to the speech and language therapist once they are 2.5 years old. The self-referral is available through the Surrey Child and Family website (opens in new window). 

If your child is in reception

When your child starts in reception, speech and language therapy input is through the school age Speech and Language Therapy team in Surrey County Council. School will monitor progress and can discuss the referral process with you. 

In the meantime the following resources are helpful:  

If you are concerned about your child’s behaviour

If you are unsure about your child’s development

You can contact your Health Visitor (opens in new window) for further information and support.

Further information about typical development can be found at: 

If your child is having problems sleeping

Surrey Child and Family Health has information on children’s sleep available including videos (opens in new window).

  • The Sleep Charity (opens in new window) has resources specifically for children. They offer a free e-book with information, hints and tips about children’s sleep problems and help to get your child to sleep better. It also covers children with SEND.  
  • Surrey adult learning (opens in new window) offers parenting courses to support bedtime.

If your child has sensory processing differences 

The Occupational Therapists have produced some helpful videos explaining sensory processing differences and strategies. (opens in new window) 

If your child has additional needs and you need help with the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) process  

  • Contact - a national charity has useful information.  
  • Cerebra (opens in new window) has produced a helpful guide on completing the form.  

If your child has additional needs and you need help with the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) process:

  • SEND Advice Surrey (opens in new window) supports parents of children going through the EHCP process. 
  • Surrey Family Information Directory (opens in new window) - contains all support available in Surrey, can be searched via postcode and categories. Covers information on family finance, childcare, family centres, education, early help and support.