County Durham and Darlington Needs Led Neurodevelopmental Pathway

County Durham and Darlington Needs Led Neurodevelopmental Pathway Mita Saha, Service Manager Tees, Esk & Wear Valleys NHS FT Rachael Allen, Team Manager Tees, Esk & Wear Valleys NHS FT

Why “Needs Led”? Parents highlighted the importance of needs being met, regardless of diagnosis Confusion over what services were available without diagnosis Importance of a culture change across the system away from diagnosis

What do we mean by “Neurodevelopmental”? Lifelong Difficulties including: Cognition, language, motor development, attention, emotional regulation, social communication Evidence that neurodevelopmental conditions co-occur Two of the most common Neurodevelopmental conditions are ADHD and Autism

Needs Led ‘Offer’ Information brought together for the local area Some additional funding available to minimise ‘gaps’ identified Emphasis on support and advice being available regardless of diagnosis County Durham's Families Informat ion Service Search results (county durhamfamilies.info)

County Durham Needs Led Pathway

Neurodevelopmental Assessment Team TEWV service Brings together previous Autism and ADHD assessment pathways CCG investment to increase capacity to meet increased demand/reduce waiting lists

CCG Hosted Webpages https://teesvalleyccg.nhs.uk/our-work/da https://countydurhamccg.nhs.uk/our-wo rlington-needs-led-neurodevelopmentalrk/needs-led-neurodevelopmental-pathw pathway/ ay/

Changes that Families/Carers will see Go Live dates: Darlington April 2021 Co Durham October 2021 Availability of local website Improved access to advice and information on what support is available, regardless of diagnosis Introduction of Referral Form Early feedback on whether this will progress to further clinical assessment – replacing previous time within a CAMHS mental health team Single assessment process for Autism and ADHD Improved communication – TEWV are working with service user and carer groups to improve this, and are contacting families regularly with suggestions of support that is available

Further information / queries? [email protected] [email protected]