New Referrals
Who can refer a child to a CDNT?
Children can be referred by any of the following people:
- Their parents or legal guardians
- Healthcare and social care professionals
- GPs
- Hospitals
- Education professionals
- Assessment Officers
- Case Managers
All referrals must include the signed consent of the parent(s) or legal guardian(s).
Which CDNT do you refer to
The CDNT you refer your child to will be based on your child’s home address. See our Teams page for the areas covered by each of our CDNTs in Mayo, Galway & Roscommon.
You can find your local CDNT here.
What forms must you use
You must use the ‘Children’s Services Referral Form’ to refer a child to a CDNT.
You must also complete an ‘Additional Information Form’, using the age category your child falls into (see the links below).
- 0 to 11 months
- 12 months to 2 years 11 months
- 3 years to 5 years 11 months
- 6 years to 11 years 11 months
- 12 years to 17 years 11 months
Mayo
Central Referrals Office Mayo CDNT 1, 2 & 3
1st Floor, Cedar House, Moneen Road, Moneen, Castlebar, Co Mayo F23WP71
Galway
Children's Services Referral Forum, CDNT 4, An tSean Chéíbh, Spidéal, Co Galway H91 XC52 cdnt4.chw@hse.ie
Children's Services Referral Forum, Enable Ireland, CDNT 5, Seamus Quirke Road, Newcastle, Co Galway H91 E8P4
Children's Services Referral Frum, Corlann, 35 Lower Newcastle, Co Galway H91 W934
Children's Services Referral Forum, CDNT Galway North, CDNT7, The Grove, Vicar St, Tuam, Co Galway. H54RD00 cdnt7.chw@hse.ie
Children's Services Referral Forum, East Galway and South Roscommon CDNT, St Brendan's Campus, Lake Road, Loughrea, Co Galway. H62Y437 cdnt8.chw@hse.ie
Roscommon
Referrals Office for North Roscommon/ East Galway CDNT 9
Children's Services Referral Forum, Unit 4 Corraun Pk, Racecourse Rd, Roscommon F42 YV08
Together, these forms outline the minimum amount of information needed to make a referral. They allow all teams to accept and prioritise referrals fairly and in the same way.
When making a referral, please include as much relevant information as possible in the two forms. Please also include any previous reports or assessments done for your child. It will help identify if your child’s needs are best met by a CDNT, or another service like Primary Care.
Guidelines on the referral process to CDNTs
The National Policy on Access to Services for Children and Young People with Disabilities and Developmental Delay gives the framework for referrals to Primary Care and CDNTs.
There are plans to make it simpler to refer into children's services including children's disability teams, primary care, and child and adolescent mental health with an online application system to become available in 2026. This information will be updated as soon as this system becomes available.
Access to CDNTs is based on the range and extent of difficulties a child has and the level of supports they need. Evidence must be shown in the referral that the child has a level of need that cannot be met within the Primary Care service.
An infant between 0 and 12 months of age, who is referred with a diagnosed condition associated with complex needs, arising from a disability, or is at significant risk of disability, will automatically be accepted onto a CDNT.
Referring to Primary Care
You may also use the same two forms when referring a child to Primary Care services Children's Services Referral Form (Children's Services Referral Form and the Additional Information Form).
Referring to CAMHS and CAMHS-ID
Referrals to CAMHS and CAMHS-ID are made by your GP. Further information about these services can be found on our CAMHS services support page.
If your child is referred to the CAMHS-ID team, they should continue to access services from their CDNT during their assessment and intervention period with the CAMHS-ID team.
Waiting for services
The length of time your child will wait for services varies in each CDNT. It depends on the type of support your child needs, the demand for services in your area and staffing levels within the team.
When the referral is accepted it is listed with the CDNT in date order. Children are generally seen for an initial contact in date order but this can be impacted by:
- Children presenting with urgent medical needs
- Children presenting with other urgent needs
- Staffing resources on the team
