School pilot scheme to assess neurodivergent needs

Schools will help families to identify children with neurodivergent needs, such as autism and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), under a pilot scheme.

As part of the six-month pilot, 42 schools in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire will provide support for children's needs as they wait for formal assessments.

Sirona Care & Health, which runs the area’s autism assessment service, will be managing the scheme.

“We know that many parent carers struggle to get the right help for their neurodivergent child, and we’re committed to addressing that," said Vicki Bates, from Sirona.

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

Rachel Trueman, chief executive officer of South Gloucestershire Parent Carers, said: “Many families find it hard to navigate the health and education system, or to know who to talk to when they have concerns that their child may be neurodivergent."

The pilot features a neurodiversity profiling tool, which will be used in schools to have an earlier understanding of children’s needs.

A neurodiversity support team at Sirona will train professionals in schools and nurseries to complete the profiling tool, then provide advice on available guidance and support that could help the child or young person.

Donna Harris, assistant principal at Heron’s Moor Academy in Weston-super-Mare, said the new approach will identify children's needs "at a much earlier stage".

“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," she added.

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.

Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.