Neurodiversity Service Update - August 2022

The Hull and East Riding Children’s Neurodiversity Service launched in March 2022, as a proof-of-concept model. A proof-of-concept initiative allows us to test and review a new service, so that changes can be made over time, to improve outcomes for children, young people and service user experience.

A review of the service included monitoring the number of requests for support. To date, the service has received over 1,300 requests for support, which has exceeded our expectations.

Due to the large number of requests, we acknowledge that many young people, parents and carers are waiting longer than we planned for a response. Together with our partners, we have also experienced ongoing challenges with staffing and have thus identified the need to strengthen the working arrangements going forwards.

As a result, we are making some temporary changes to the way someone can request support from this service.

From Monday 22 August 2022, for an initial period of 8 weeks, we are:

· Pausing requests for support to the front door team.

· Focussing on current and outstanding requests for support with our partners

· Contacting parents and young people who have requested support from the service before Monday 22 August 2022.

· Strengthening our ways of working with partner services. This will be based on feedback and the actions agreed in the Stakeholder Service Review, May 2022.

This temporary change will not affect the ability to directly access services which make up the Neurodiversity Service, including Autism, ADHD, Learning Disability, Sensory and Sleep services. Details on how to access these services can be found on the service website www.heyneurodiversity.co.uk

Engagement and participation with system partners, children and young people, their parents and carers, will continue. The second Stakeholder Service Review will take place on Thursday 6th October 2022. Details on how to get involved will be added to the service website nearer the date.

It is our priority to continue to develop our services to provide the highest standards of care to the communities we serve. We will notify you when the front door team resumes accepting requests for support.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding.

Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire Health and Care Partnerships

Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust