About us
The Children and Young People’s Sensory Processing Service offers a family-centred approach to support children and young people with sensory processing differences that impact significantly on daily activities such as self-care, eating and transitions.
We deliver a 3-tiered model of service delivery which includes universal, targeted and specialist support to children and families across Hertfordshire. We are currently developing targeted workshops which will be available to schools across Hertfordshire from September 2025.
Sensory processing differences are typically lifelong, though they may change and develop over time. The most effective support involves incorporating sensory strategies into daily routines, activities, and environments to help children and young people manage these differences consistently and meaningfully.
The Sensory Processing Service uses a coaching and empowerment model when working with parents and carers, as this approach is strongly evidence-based in supporting sensory processing differences and promoting engagement in daily tasks. This model equips families and schools with the knowledge and confidence to self-manage children and young people’s sensory needs by identifying effective strategies and embedding them into everyday routines and environments.
Within the Sensory Service, we use Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), a model and framework derived in Behaviour Analysis. PBS focuses on enhancing the quality of life for individuals by understanding the underlying causes of behaviours and creating supportive, personalised environments.
We apply this approach to better understand sensory differences and work collaboratively with families through coaching and support. Our goal is to ensure consistent, effective strategies that are tailored to each individual’s unique needs.
We do this by:
- Understanding why behaviours happen
- Empowering parents to implement strategies/teach replacement behaviours to communicate needs effectively and reduce challenges they may face
The Sensory Processing Service is a short term, time limited service. It is anticipated that, following our support, the child or young person’s sensory differences can be effectively managed within their home and school environments.
Please use the links on this site to find out more about us and how to contact the Children and Young People’s Sensory Processing Service.
What is sensory processing?
Sensory processing is the ability to organise and make sense of the information we receive from our senses about the world around us. We take in sensory information from what we see, touch, taste, smell, hear as well as from our movements, body signals and the position of our body. This information is processed by our brains and nervous system so that we can make sense of it and respond appropriately.
Every individual processes sensory information differently. Everyone will have sensory preferences, some sensations they enjoy or seek out, and others they may find uncomfortable or try to avoid. Sensory processing differences become a concern when they interfere with a child or young person’s ability to participate in everyday activities essential for learning, development, and well-being.
It’s important to note that Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is not currently recognised as a formal diagnosis in the UK under the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Therefore, the Sensory Processing Service uses terms such as sensory differences, sensory difficulties, or sensory challenges instead. Our focus is on helping families and schools understand each child or young person’s unique sensory profile and on identifying strategies to support participation in daily living and learning tasks.
How the service is provided
We offer a three-tiered model of service delivery, which includes universal, targeted, and specialist support for children and families across Hertfordshire. The majority of children’s sensory needs can be met through universal and targeted support.
The most effective way to support your child’s participation is by applying strategies consistently within the context of everyday routines and activities.
Attending workshops at the universal and targeted levels ensures that families and schools receive up-to-date, evidence-based advice and strategies. A goal-oriented approach is used during targeted workshops to help families and schools work toward specific outcomes that support a child or young person’s sensory processing needs.
Universal: For everyone
Universal support aims to increase adults’ understanding of sensory processing and individual sensory preferences. It provides practical advice on everyday strategies to help children and young people manage sensory differences.
This is the first level of support available to families and schools and can be accessed by attending a 90-minute virtual workshop. A referral is not required.
After attending a universal workshop, parents and school staff are expected to implement the strategies consistently as part of the child or young person’s daily routine for a minimum of three months before seeking further support.
Targeted: For some
Targeted support is the second level of provision available to families. After at least three months of implementing the strategies recommended during a universal workshop, some children and young people may require further support. If so, a referral can be made to access targeted support.
The aim of targeted support is to build on existing knowledge and provide further guidance on managing sensory processing differences that impact daily activities. This is achieved through a goal-oriented, coaching-based approach.
Parents and carers are required to attend two virtual targeted workshops, selected based on the child or young person’s identified needs. Workshops offered at the targeted level include:
- Self-regulation
- Eating and drinking
- Toileting
- Sleep
- Self-care
- Transitions
- Interoception (our internal body sense)
In addition to the above targeted workshops, we offer a Positive Behaviour Support workshop titled ‘Understanding behaviour’ which parents can attend if needed.
Following attendance at the two 90-minute virtual workshops, parents and carers are expected to implement the recommended strategies with their child or young person for a minimum of 12 weeks. This period is essential to allow the strategies to become part of everyday routines and to support the development of self-management skills in relation to sensory differences. Inconsistent implementation may limit the effectiveness of the strategies and reduce the likelihood of meaningful change in managing sensory challenges.
Click here to see this information in a targeted flow chart format.
Specialist: For few
This is the third level of provision for parents/carers and children and young people who have a defined clinical need. Your child or young person’s sensory needs will be reviewed collaboratively with parents/carers, following targeted support, to determine whether specialist intervention is required.
Specialist support includes an individual assessment carried out either at home or in school, depending on the identified needs. After the assessment, a sensory report will be provided, including specific recommendations and tailored advice. If intervention from the Sensory Processing Service is advised, up to six sessions may be offered. These may be direct (with the child or young person) and/or indirect (with parents/carers or school staff).
The aim of specialist-level intervention is to establish person-centred goals and outcomes focused on improving participation in everyday activities. Interventions will be time-limited and evidence-based.
Please note, not all children and young people will require specialist support, as it is anticipated that the guidance and support provided at universal and targeted levels will enable many to manage sensory processing differences effectively within daily life and routines.
Please see attached the position statement relating to the service Sensory Position statement.
Who is eligible for the service
The Children and young person’s Sensory Processing Service supports children and young people from birth to 18 years old in Hertfordshire.
Accessing Universal Support:
Anyone living in Hertfordshire can access our universal workshops, which provide general advice and strategies to support sensory needs.
Accessing Targeted Support:
To access targeted support, the child or young person must:
- Be registered with a Hertfordshire GP, and
- Meet the referral criteria
Referrals can be made by anyone via the Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust website.
Please note: the Sensory Processing Service referral form is part of the Occupational Therapy referral form. When completing the form, please select the 'sensory processing' option. The referral form for the Sensory Processing Service is linked here.
Useful information
Click on the resources below for more support and ideas on how to support a child’s sensory processing.
Making a referral
Anyone can make a referral for this service via the Hertfordshire Community Trust website. Click here for the referral criteria to access the sensory processing service and referral form.
The referral can be completed by a parent or a professional (health or education).
Please see below for the referral and exclusion criteria for the Sensory Processing Service.
Targeted Support – Referral Criteria
To be eligible for targeted support, all of the following criteria must be met:
- The child or young person is aged 0 to 18 years.
They are registered with a Hertfordshire GP. - There is evidence of attendance at universal-level support, such as workshops or training.
- There is evidence of implementation of strategies from the universal level of support over a minimum period of 3 months.
- The child or young person is experiencing difficulties in at least two sensory systems.
- Sensory processing difficulties are having a significant impact on functional participation in everyday tasks.
- Sensory concerns are present in at least two different environments (e.g., home and school).
Targeted Support – Exclusion Criteria
Referrals will not be accepted if any of the following apply:
- No evidence of attending universal sensory training/workshops.
- No evidence of having implemented sensory strategies for at least 3 months.
- Sensory difficulties are only present in one environment.
- Difficulties are only related to one sensory system.
- Sensory issues are not significantly impacting participation in daily activities.
- The child or young person is not registered with a Hertfordshire GP.
If a child or young person has a Hertfordshire address or GP but attends an out-of-county mainstream school, they will not be seen in school settings. Instead, they will be offered clinic appointments, and the service will aim to provide these outside school hours where possible.
Please note, the service does not provide assessment or intervention for the following:
- ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)
- Sensory Integration Therapy (SIT)
- Therapeutic Listening
Specialist Support – Referral Criteria
To be considered for specialist support, all of the following criteria must be met:
- Review form completed by the parent or carer.
- Completion of targeted-level support.
- Evidence of implementing targeted sensory strategies consistently for at least 3 months.
- Evidence showing how the targeted strategies have impacted functional participation in daily life.
- Sensory processing difficulties are having a significant impact on functional participation in everyday tasks.
- Sensory difficulties are present in at least two environments (e.g., home, school, community).
- The child or young person is aged between 0 and 18 years.
- They are registered with a Hertfordshire GP.
Triage Process
All referrals submitted to the service for targeted and specialist support are triaged by a therapist based on the information provided. This process determines whether support from the Sensory Processing Service will be offered. Parents/carers and the referrer will be notified in writing whether the referral has been accepted or declined.
If you have any queries or experience any issues when making a referral, please contact the children's referral hub: 01923 470680 Option 2 or hct.cypspecialistservices@nhs.net.
Click here for referral guidelines.
Patient experience
If you would like to share your story, please contact the Patient Experience team on 01707 388036 or email hct.patientexperienceteam@nhs.net
We would also love to hear about your experience on our service, please complete a survey by clicking here
