Issue - meetings

Purpose of the item:

1.    The Adult and Health Select Committee have asked for evidence and information on the system wide response to support the needs of Children and Young People (CYP) who may have Autism (ASD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), including details of the Neurodevelopmental (ND) diagnostic pathway provided by Mindworks.

2.    Mindworks is an alliance of emotional wellbeing and mental health providers that includes Surrey and Borders NHS Partnership (SABP) as the NHS Trust, Tavistock and Portman leading on system change (i-Thrive in Surrey model described in Appendix 1) and 13 Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) partners coming together under Surrey Wellbeing Partnership (SWP), of which three VCS partners also provide specific support in the ND pathway. SABP and third sector partners provide support and assessment for ASD and ADHD as part of the ND Pathway for children over six years of age.

3.    This report provides an overview of the status of provision and performance. It acknowledges that providers of support are challenged in their ability to provide a comprehensive response as are schools and families, and that change is required within the context of; increased needs and demand, pressure on staff (including those in schools) and families and diminished financial resources across health, local government, and schools. 

4.    The proposed cultural shift, described in the report, to a social model of support, requires action across the system and continued recognition that there remains considerable work still to be done in meeting the needs of CYP with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or ADHD. The work detailed within the ND Transformation Plan builds on that of the All-Age Autism Strategy, helping to provide a focus on specific areas for improvement through a needs-led ND pathway.