Children’s Continence Service

The West Essex Children’s Continence Service works with families of children from the age of 4 years to young people up to the age of 18 that are registered with a GP in West Essex and have bowel or bladder problems that have not been able to be managed with the support of the child’s health visitor or school nurse.

The aim is to offer support and strategies that allow the child/young person to become completely continent or become as independent with their continence issues as possible.

The service supports the children/young people with bowel and bladder difficulties. This include difficulties with failed toileting (after six months of trying), day time wetting, night time wetting, soiling/overflow and constipation issues.

The service also support children who require continence products because continence may not be possible due to medical issues.

The continence service is delivered from our local Family Hubs, clinics and hospitals around the West Essex area.

Referral information for professionals

Children are referred into the service by a health professional, this is usually the child’s health visitor, school nurse or general practitioner. There are two documents below. One lays out the criteria for referral and discharge into our service. The second is a downloadable referral form. This includes an intake/output chart to be provided to parents, along with instructions.

Referral information for parents

You will be likely be asked to complete some information about your child’s typical intake and output as part of your referral. Some referrers may occasionally point you to this webpage in order to download and complete the documentation, which is available to download here: