Nov 30, 2024, The Week In: Neurodiversity profiling pilot launches in schools in South Glos, Bristol & North Somerset
SW England
A new pilot scheme in local schools will explore ways to improve support for children waiting for an assessment for neurodivergent needs such as autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
The six-month neurodiversity profiling pilot has been developed by local health and education services working with parent carer forums, charities, schools and other partners in the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire health region.
It will operate alongside the area’s existing autism and ADHD assessment service and will provide earlier identification and understanding of children’s needs, so that staff can work with families to develop support strategies while they wait for a formal assessment.
The pilot started in October and is running in 42 local primary and secondary schools, plus eight nurseries, until March 2025. Around 200 children and their families are expected to take part, including home-educated children and young people.
Sirona care & health runs the area’s autism assessment service and will be managing the pilot scheme on a day-to-day basis working with local schools.
Lead for children’s autism assessment at Sirona, Vicki Bates, said: “We know that many parent carers struggle to get the right help for their neurodivergent child, and we’re committed to addressing that.
“This pilot will complement the existing autism and ADHD assessment service by providing an earlier understanding of a child’s needs and then guiding families to relevant resources and support. . . .
The three local parent carer forums for Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset have been closely involved in developing the pilot.
Chief executive officer of South Gloucestershire Parent Carers, Rachel Trueman, said: “Many families find it hard to navigate the health and education system, or to know who to talk to when they have concerns that their child may be neurodivergent.
“Even when children are accepted on to the autism or ADHD assessment waiting list, the difficulty some families face in accessing support can mean their needs go unmet while they are waiting. . . .
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