The report states how children and young people’s unmet needs can tragically escalate to the point of crisis. The report emphasizes, as many other reports have, the need for providing needs led early interventions, and that by providing the right support at the right time enables children and young people to have improved outcomes.
We know that children and young people with neurodevelopmental conditions, such as Autism and or ADHD, can face several health inequalities, which are compounded by the growing wait times, which vary across regions and even within the local footprints of the commissioning Integrated Care Boards. Many families are faced with long waits and a postcode lottery for pre and post diagnostic support, with the report stating “Many children are unsupported during these waits, with little access to therapeutic interventions” and even once a diagnosis is provided the report confirmed that “Children and parents can feel abandoned by services after the diagnosis, often just receiving a letter with website links”
The NNPCF welcome the key recommendations regarding addressing both the wait times and the workforce strategy within the Government’s Child Health Action Plan. The focus on early interventions that are integrated across Health, social and Education we feel is much needed in order to support a needs led approach along with a timely assessment, outcome and/or diagnosis to ensure our Children, Young People and families receive the correct support, when they need it.
The NNPCF has been in conversations with NHSE regarding wait times for ASD and ADHD and we hope that now the new government is in place that wider strategic conversations can start to take place to ensure that the lived experience of our membership is represented.
You can access a copy of the report here.