Children with special needs--2: The Early Support Pilot Programme.

In the second of two articles, a health visitor for special needs children explains the Early Support Pilot Programme, a Government initiative to improve assessment and support for children under three years with complex health needs. The programme puts the child and family at the centre. It emphasises partnership between the professionals and the family, with joint assessments and professionals working together to provide co-ordinated planning and care--the "team around the family" approach. The author describes a local experience of the programme in an area chosen as a pilot site.