A new scheme exploring ways to improve support for children awaiting assessment for neurodivergent needs such as autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is to be trialled in North Somerset. 

The sixth month pilot scheme has been developed by Sirona care and health, along with local health and education services working with parent carer forums, charities, schools and other partners in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. 

It will operate alongside the existing autism and ADHD assessment service in the area and will work with families to provide support for children while they wait for a formal assessment. 

The pilot began this October and will run in 42 local primary and secondary schools, including Heron’s Moor Academy in Weston-super-Mare, plus eight nurseries, until March next year. 

Around 200 children and their families are expected to take part, including home-educated children and young people. 

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Sirona 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. 

“We’ve considered best practice from across the country in designing the scheme and we’ll be evaluating it very carefully over the coming months to understand its potential benefits in more detail.” 

The three local parent carer forums for Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire have been closely involved in developing the pilot. 

Donna Harris, Assistant Principal at Heron’s Moor Academy, said: “We’re really pleased to be taking part in this pilot and exploring how we can build on the support we provide to children who have additional needs associated with neurodivergence. 

“This new approach promises to identify children’s needs at a much earlier stage and will help us to work with families to access appropriate support. 

“It is early days but the initial response from families has been positive and we’re looking forward to seeing how it will work in practice over the coming months.” 

The pilot forms part of a wider Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire neurodiversity transformation programme, which was launched in 2023 and is led by the NHS Integrated Care Board and the three local Parent Carer Forums. 

The programme brings together health, care and education services, and local charities such as Barnardo’s, to explore ways to better support local neurodivergent children and their families.