Who we care for
The Children’s Continence service is primarily for children and young people aged 4 – 18 years who require support in managing wetting and/or soiling problems. We also consider referrals for children under the age of 4 with more complex bladder and/or bowel dysfunction, such as those who are palliative, or who suffer from certain bladder/bowel conditions such as neurogenic bladder, nocturnal/daytime enuresis and constipation. The service is extended up to 19 years for young people attending complex needs schools.
We do not dispense products for children under the age of 4. We do not dispense sanitary products or bedwetting alarms and we rarely dispense pull-ups unless a medical need has been identified.
All referrals will be triaged by specialist continence nurses who have undertaken comprehensive training in paediatric continence and have current experience working with children and young people with bladder and bowel needs.
While the service will accept referrals from acute, it asks that referrals from GPs and other healthcare professionals are made following completion of a level one continence assessment. This consists of a thorough investigation into the history of the child’s condition when it started, known triggers, family history, toileting regime, drinking regime, eating regime etc.
Please note: Referrals without a completed level one continence assessment will be rejected.
Who we are
Our team of nurses and assistant practitioners work closely with children and young people, their parents and carers, and other health and care professionals to offer appropriate support to children and families across Norfolk (except Great Yarmouth).
The care we offer
We aim to help children and young people achieve continence, whenever possible, to support them to achieve a good quality of life and avoid unnecessary hospital admissions. Resolving continence difficulties in children/young people can take many months; early diagnosis and appropriate management can support this process.
For those children/young people where full continence is unlikely to be achieved, we aim to support them in managing their condition to enable them to access the opportunities available to them.
Our skilled nurses and assistant practitioners will assess your child and agree on a plan of care to best meet their needs.
This may include:
- Advice and information
- Toileting support
- Daytime wetting support
- Supply of continence products*
- Support with constipation and/or soiling
- Night-time wetting support (Nocturnal Enuresis)
*We do not dispense products for children under the age of 4. We do not dispense sanitary products or bedwetting alarms and we rarely dispense pull-ups unless a medical need has been identified.
Referral information
Any initial concerns with bladder or bowel problems should be directed to Just One Norfolk (https://www.justonenorfolk.nhs.uk/child-development-additional-needs/toileting/toileting-advice/). The clinicians there can complete a level one assessment and advise the next actions. If you are worried that your child is unwell and requires more immediate care, please contact your child’s GP in the first instance. If your local healthcare professional is unable to support you with your child’s bladder or bowel problem the clinicians at Just One Norfolk or your GP can refer you directly to the Children’s Continence Service (following a level one assessment). The Children’s Continence team support those children and young people whose bladder and/or bowel difficulties continue despite first-line care interventions.
You will need to be registered with a Norfolk GP. Referrals will be accepted by acute but we ask that referrals from GPs and other registered healthcare professionals are made following completion of a level one continence assessment. This consists of a thorough investigation into the history of the child’s condition, when it started, known triggers, family history, toileting regime, drinking regime, eating regime etc. Without a completed level one continence assessment referrals will be rejected.
While you are waiting for an appointment
Please can we ask families to make time to have a look at the resources below as they have some excellent advice and support which you may find helpful while you wait for your appointment: