You may have heard that Greater Manchester has introduced a new, fairer approach to deciding which children and young people receive an NHS autism or ADHD assessment, and how quickly they are seen. Requests for assessments have increased considerably, and services are currently unable to meet the growing demand.
As a result, we are temporarily pausing ASD and ADHD referrals while we review how these changes may impact our students, alongside our internal referral and monitoring processes. Teachers will continue to use QFT strategies, observing and providing feedback where appropriate. We will update you on our new process shortly.
In the meantime, the Stockport Neurodiversity Team has introduced the ND Early Help Model. More information can be found at the link below:
https://www.stockport.gov.uk/news/the-gm-nd-early-help-model
This new approach aims to provide support as soon as signs of autism or ADHD are first noticed. It focuses on offering early help and guidance without the need for a formal diagnosis, enabling children, young people, and families to access support sooner.
Stockport’s Early Help Offer
What you can access now
- We have created an online information board (Padlet) which outlines our ND Early Help Offer. It brings together both in person support, such as advice drop ins, group sessions and courses, as well as online support, including webinar recordings, live training sessions and regularly updated information and resources.
- Monthly in-person Information and Advice Drop-In sessions held at our One Stockport Family Hubs where you can chat to staff from the Neurodevelopmental Team and other services.
- Monthly in-person meet ups by SPACE for parents and carers of children and young people with ADHD.
- The Exploring Neurodiversity workshop run by the Neurodevelopmental Team which introduces the term neurodiversity and identifies some general strategies of support that can be used at home, is available to all parents/carers living in Stockport. Email [email protected] to request a place.
- Free support for families, delivered by Anna Freud: you can access one-to-one peer support, group learning and coaching, and practical resources. Find out more about Autism Central’s offer.
- Pre-recorded training webinars on a variety of topics including Sleep, Distressed Behaviour and Anxiety. You can find these on the Stockport Early Help Offer Padlet.
- ND Parent Support Group run by our neurodevelopmental Team. You can find out about our upcoming sessions by emailing [email protected]. You can also ask to be added to the ND mailing list so that they can email you updates re upcoming sessions.
- Upcoming live training on a variety of topics that parents/carers have requested – check out our Padlet for upcoming sessions. If you would like to request a training topic, please email [email protected].
- Young People’s online neuroprofiling tool helps young people aged 10 and over to gain a greater understanding of their strengths, needs and will signpost you to support. Find out more about the tool.
- Autism and Suicide Awareness Training that aims to share information about the risk, spotting the signs, and resources for support.
- Kooth: free safe and anonymous professional online mental health support for young people aged 10-25.
- SilverCloud: a free confidential and secure series of programmes to help ease stress, sleep better or build resilience for people aged 16+.
- Qwell: free safe and anonymous professional online mental health support available 24/7 for people aged 16+.
- Visit our SEND Local Offer which brings together information about local services, support and advice for parents, carers, and young people aged up to 25 with, or who may have, SEND.
Stockport’s Early Help Offer are also introducing regular online sessions to guide you through the SEND Local Offer:
- Understand what the SEND Local Offer is (and how it can help families and professionals)
- Learn the quickest way to find the website and key sections
- See how the information is organised, so you can navigate with confidence
- Pick up practical tips for using the Local Offer to identify local support and next steps