NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board (SNEE ICB) want to ensure that education colleagues are aware of the recent amendments to the CYP Neurodevelopmental Disorder Pathway. These changes were communicated at the start of term but we understand what a busy time this is and so wanted to share the key messages again.

Since the pathway was launched in April 2022, ICB have been committed to providing better care and support for children and young people with neurodevelopmental conditions and their families.

We acknowledge that there have been challenges around demand – that is something that these amendments will begin to address and which will be regularly reviewed with our commissioned providers, system partners and the Suffolk Parent Carer Forum (SPCF).

Working together, we have reviewed the pathway’s referral and triage process, and the ongoing support it should offer. After careful consideration, we have decided that the pathway will focus on supporting children and young people who require an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) diagnosis, and their families. This will allow dedicated support for the increasing number of families who require help with navigating these diagnostic journeys.

To make the pathway more accessible, the referral form process has been enhanced, with new guidance and resources to aid parents and carers in completing a referral with a lead professional, and to make the process easier for parents and carers of children that are home educated or not in school.

There is also new clear guidance for professionals about their role in supporting families on the NDD pathway. The improved referral forms, guidance, and resources are all available to download from East & West Suffolk NDD Pathway | Suffolk Local Offer