The Way Ahead Register is a confidential record of information about children with special needs and disabilities living in Westminster, Hammersmith and Fulham and Kensington and Chelsea.  The Children Act 1989 required all local authorities to establish a register of children with a disability in their area.  This was for the purpose of assisting service planning to meet the needs of children with disabilities and their families.  Children’s names are added to the register at their parent’s request, and in return parents can receive information about services available in their area.

What is the Way Ahead register?

Way Ahead is a joint register which is shared between local partners across health and local authorities working in partnership: 

• NHS Westminster
• NHS Hammersmith and Fulham
• NHS Kensington and Chelsea
• Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
• Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust
• Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust
• Westminster City Council
• London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham
• The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

The register will hold the following details for each child:

• Name, date of birth and address
• Condition or diagnosis
• Information about the child’s skills and functioning
• Other basic details eg. school, GP

How a joint register will help you

• A membership card will be issued to each child or young person on the Way Ahead register.  The use of this card is completely voluntary.  Parents / carers may find this useful in getting assistance and understanding for their child in many different situations.  This card may also be helpful in obtaining concessions where they are offered to disabled children and their carer’s.  We would advise taking additional proof of identity when using the card for this purpose.
• Having detailed information about the numbers of children and where they live will enable the local agencies concerned with your child to plan services together in order to provide a better service.
• You will receive information and updates about services in the local area.
• You will be asked for your views about services and proposed changes.
• However, being on the register does not mean that your child will automatically be eligible for all services.  Health and Children’s Services departments consider and assess all cases individually.

How can I use my Way Ahead Register membership card?

You can find out more about the Way Ahead Register membership card and how it can be used here.

Who is eligible to be registered?

To be registered your child must be under 18 years of age and must have a permanent special need and / or substantial disability or be suffering from a long term illness.  It is sometimes difficult to decide if your child has a condition that is permanent.  Therefore the decision as to whether your child is eligible will be made by the child health specialists at the child development centres.  It is likely that your child will be seen at one of the centres in the course of planning for their future needs.

How long will my child stay on the register?

This is a voluntary register and parents can opt to remove their child from it at any time.

• If you no longer wish your child to be on the register
• If you move out of the area
• Once your child is 18 years old

The information held on the register is confidential and is held on a secure computerised system.  It conforms to The Data Protection Act 1998.  Only authorised workers from social care, education and health can access this information.  The register is not linked to any other registers or records held by health or the local authority.

To register please contact the Shared Disability Co-ordinator at:

• Cheyne Child Development Service
  
  Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust
  
  Doughty House
  
  369 Fulham Road
  
  London  SW10 9NH

Tel:  020 8846 1606 

• Child Development Service
  
  7e Woodfield Road
  
  London W9 3XZ

Tel:  020 7266 8777

You can also download a leaflet and registration form below.