Children's Music Therapy, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital

Music therapy uses shared music making as a way of supporting children who may have communication, social, physical or emotional difficulties. Sessions offer children experiences of shared play, interaction, movement and learning, whatever their level of ability. Children are seen initially for assessment to determine, with parents and carers, how music therapy might support them with their specific needs.

Music therapy takes place individually or in groups, and consideration of the parents/carers views and needs is a key part of planning intervention to determine the best ways to support and maximise the benefits to the child. In sessions, shared music making, using improvised or familiar music, allows children to build musical relationships which may contribute to their development across a range of areas.

Music therapists are part of the multi-disciplinary team, and work closely with other professionals to support the child’s development. The service also provides advice and training to parents and professionals to increase awareness of the benefits of music making within child health and education settings, and how music can support wellbeing in everyday life. The service is known internationally for its research and development work.

For further information, visit: Music therapy — Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (chelwest.nhs.uk)

Who to contact

Contact Name: Juliet Wood
Contact Position: Clinical Lead for Music Therapy
Telephone: 020 3315 6472
E-mail: [email protected]
Social Media

Where to go

Name

Music Therapy is offered on 3 different Child Development Service bases

Address

See clinics' addresses in the venue address section below

Postcode

SW10 9NH

Notes

Base 1 - Doughty House, Cheyne Child Development Service, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital (369 Fulham Rd, London, SW10 9NH). Tel: 020 3315 6472

Base 2 - Cheyne Child Development Service, Parkview Centre for Health and Wellbeing (56 Bloemfontein Road, White City, London, W12 7FG). Tel: 020 3704 6061

Base 3 - Woodfield Child Development Service, The Medical Centre, (7E Woodfield Road, London, W9 3XZ). Tel: 020 7266 8863

Other Details

Availability

Age Ranges: From birth up to 6 years.

Local Offer

Who is this service available to?

Children can access the service if they have a GP in the Hammersmith and Fulham, West London or Central London Clinical Commissioning Groups.

Music therapy in Child Development Services is categorised as a specialist service which means it is only available to children who have been individually referred to the Child Development Service. Direct referrals are accepted from professionals within the Child Development Service.

The service is offered to children who may have difficulties in one or more of the following areas:

Social interaction difficulties, or a diagnosis of autism
Mild, moderate or severe learning difficulties/disability
Physical disabilities
Speech and language difficulties
Complex needs, including combinations of the difficulties above

Early Intervention Music Therapy in Children’s Centres is categorised as a targeted service for children within children’s centres who have specific additional needs. Direct referrals are accepted from a range of professionals, early year’s practitioners and health care professionals. This service is group based and includes joint work with speech and language therapists, early years practitioners and other professionals. It also offers support to babies, young child and parents, aiming to support early relationships and the wellbeing of the family.

When is this service available?

Music therapists are based at Child Development Centres 9am-5pm (Monday-Thursday).

How do you access this service?

Referrals to the music therapy service are made by Child Development Service staff, in discussion with parents. For further information, or to talk about music therapy in children’s centres, please contact the team using the details above.

When your child is referred to music therapy we aim to offer an initial appoitment within 16 weeks of referral.

The waiting time from initial assessment to a course of music therapy sessions is approximately 16 weeks.

How do we ensure the quality of this service?

The service is commissioned to deliver music therapy that conforms with national standards including those from the National Institute of Clinical and Health Excellence (NICE).

The service reports quarterly to the commissioners on performance.

We regularly gather feedback from parents in order to hear what people say about our service and how we can improve it. We also ask children about their experiences of coming to music therapy. This helps us ensure that the service meets the needs of the children and families using it.

What to do if you have a complaint?

In the first instance, please speak to your child’s therapist if you have any concerns.

If you still have concerns contact the Clinical Lead for Music Therapy - Juliet Wood at [email protected].

You can also contact Francesca Crosby, Divisional Therapy Lead for Children’s Services and Pelvic Health on Email: [email protected]. Phone: 0203 315 8406

You can also email the Patient Advice and Liaison Service at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital on [email protected] or call them on 0203 315 6727

Can parents and young people buy this service as part of their SEND personal budget?

Last Updated 25/04/2023