Reflections from an event at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital – 25th February 2025

Jayne and Rachel, parent carer volunteers, attended this event alongside professionals from across Cheshire and Merseyside to explore how to better support neurodivergent children and young people to access mental health services.

The event focused on addressing the ongoing gap between need and access, with a strong emphasis on improving pathways and collaboration across services.

Key Messages from the Event

• Many mental health services exist, but families often don’t know how to find them

• There is a need for a “single front door” to make access clearer

• Support while waiting for services remains a significant gap

• Short-term interventions, such as six therapy sessions, are often not enough

Examples of good practice included:

• The Branch Wirral

• Zillo Wirral

Updates were also shared from Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services, including demand pressures and evolving assessment pathways for neurodivergent children and young people.

Parent Voice

Our representative Rachel went to speak and share lived experience:

“I had the pleasure of speaking about ND and mental health at Alder Hey from a lived experience perspective as a parent of 2 ND young people, who have had their own experiences of MH issues. Although it was nerve wracking, there was a lot of support from the room.

I didn’t manage to say all I wanted. But I can honestly say it was a great experience. I also stayed for the sessions and was able to learn about how progress is taking place.”

In Summary

There are positive signs of progress, particularly in recognising the needs of neurodivergent children within mental health services. However, families continue to need clearer pathways, earlier support, and more joined-up services.

Co-production and lived experience must remain central as this work moves forward.

Thank you to Rachel and Jayne for representing Cheshire West & Chester 

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