Access to Mindworks Neurodevelopmental Pathway
We know that life experiences can look like neurodivergent needs, including sleep, diet, and life trauma. We therefore ask that attempts be made to support these areas of need in the first instance in liaison with your school nurse, SENCO, or School-Based Needs Team. To help with these needs, please also refer to our webpage where there are several resources for support. These include support strategies and interventions, including a Mindworks pre-recorded video for parents of neurodivergent children, Navigating the maze. Strategies should be embedded in the home and school to support a child's needs.
We also have a range of workshops and groups run by our Mindworks professionals for Children, young people, and their families that can be accessed without the need for a diagnosis.
Referral process for Mindworks Neurodevelopmental Pathway
Access to the neurodevelopmental pathway is via a school consultation. The consultations bring together the support networks around the child or young person, including school staff, parent/carer, and Mindworks experts, to work together on ensuring the needs of a child or young person are met.
Consultations aim to enhance the collective understanding of the child or young person’s needs and build on support and strategies that have already been implemented. During the consultation, those present will agree on a plan of continued care and support for the child or young person and consider whether it is the right time to add them to the waiting list for diagnostic assessment.
Schools can contact the Neurodevelopmental Service to book a consultation for children and young people where there is a strong suspicion of Autism and/or ADHD and there is at least one of the following:
- Not meeting age-related expectations academically and/or developmentally and high levels of individualised SEND arrangements have been put in place for the presenting needs both at home and school for at least 10 weeks
- Significant levels of distress (however that presents for the individual) within home and/or school environments
- Difficulties in attendance at school with accompanying EBSNA support plan
- Known to Mindworks Children & Young People’s Services
Please note we require consent from children over 12 years of age.
We require referrals to be collaboratively completed between a professional from a second setting and home. This would ideally be a school staff member who knows the child or young person well.
If a child or young person is not on school roll then a professional from another setting can complete the referral with parents. In these circumstances, this could be the child's GP, if they know the child well, but equally it could be another professional such as an activity leader e.g. sports coach. For children and young people not on school roll and there is no second setting a parent can request a half hour discovery conversation by calling 0300 222 5856 or emailing neurodevworkrequests@sabp.nhs.uk. Please note that the referral forms do still need to be completed ahead of the consultation.
How do I book a consultation?
Please review information on how to book a consultation here on the Forms for requests for support page.
Help us improve our website
Please take a moment to share your thoughts and help us enhance our website by completing our short survey here.