Neurodevelopmental Support Resources

West Cheshire Parent Carer Forum has worked with Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Autism service to coproduce a visual online noticeboard, known as a ‘padlet’. The padlet can be accessed via the Local Offer and it contains a collection of agencies and resources that can help with a range of issues – for example: sleep, toileting, sensory processing and the presentation of Autism in girls.

The padlet can be viewed here: Cheshire West & Chester Autism Service Family Support Padlet

Cheshire East Place is pleased to announce new proactive support resources for neurodivergent children, young people, and their families, regardless of where they are on their neurodevelopmental journey.

The national charity Contact, in partnership with co-production specialists Genuine Partnerships and the Cheshire East Parent Carer Forum, have co-produced a suite of new materials.

These resources were developed together with parents, practitioners, and neurodivergent young people.

The project was led by a neurodivergent graphic designer and a Cheshire East-based project manager, both of whom are parent carers with lived experience.

The outcomes include:

1.   A new web platform featuring a searchable directory of local and national resources.

2.   Information on personal passports, current referral pathways, and future service developments.

3.   Redesigned practitioner guidance and operational communications, co-produced with families.

You can explore these new resources here: www.cheshireandmerseyside.nhs.uk/pathway

The resource database will be regularly updated and copied over to Cheshire West Place. Cheshire West families can use these this link in the meantime.

Every child and young person has unique needs and the support provided to them should be tailored to respond to this. This initiative aims to empower families with clear, accessible information so they can make informed decisions and access the right support, at the right time.

Professional Feeding Working Group

The Sensory Processing Occupational Therapy Support Service (SPOTTS) offers a paediatric feeding group in Cheshire, with input from Speech and Language, Occupational Therapists, and Paediatrics. 

SPOTTS would like to invite you to learn about the Professional Feeding Working Group (PFWG).

Please see the flier here: Professional Feeding Working Group

You can book a place here: https://PFWG.eventbrite.co.uk

SPOTTS Access

Diagnosis is not needed to access the service but the child/young person does need to be on the Autism pathway (this does not need to be the Autism assessment pathway necessarily, it could be a pathway like Cheshire East Council’s Cheshire East Autism Team [CEAT]).

SPOTTS is a school-based commissioned service, with referrals made by schools. Currently only primary school based in Cheshire West. Website Update! - Our new site is live with referral info; training links & resources. Check it out here: Sensory Processing Occupational Therapy Support Service (SPOTSS) :: Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Got a question? Contact us at ccicp.sensoryotadmin@mcht.nhs.uk

Adult ADHD

Cheshire West is currently modelling a GP-led Adult ADHD service, based on the LEAP model used in Wirral. Communication will shortly be shared with GPs about this model of care, which will include advice about shared care.

This model entails GPs undertaking reviews and then moving to take on new assessments and transitions as part of a staged process.

CWP’s Adult ADHD pathway across Cheshire is currently only seeing patients that fit into priority groups but waiting times are still long – for example, there are currently 179 CYP looking to transition to adult services and the waiting time is approximately 12 months. The LEAP model would increase CWP’s capacity to see priority groups during the staged process. 

West Cheshire GPs that have expressed an interest in training for this model.

Neurodiversity Profiling Tool

Cheshire and Merseyside Neurodiversity Profiling Tool Pilot Evaluation is underway. 

The Profiling Tool will adopt the Portsmouth model, which focuses on a needs-led approach rather than a diagnosis-led one, has been well-received as a framework for Cheshire & Merseyside. The Portsmouth Model is a needs-led framework that prioritises providing support based on individual needs rather than waiting for formal diagnoses. It allows for immediate interventions and adjustments in mainstream settings, particularly helpful during long waits for ND (neurodevelopmental) assessments. While complementing the ND pathways, it also offers valuable insights for paediatricians, aiding in diagnosis by providing a clear understanding of a child's developmental needs. This ensures that children receive timely, tailored support while awaiting formal diagnoses like ADHD or autism.

The purpose of the study is to better understand parent carers views on the neurodiversity profiling tool, and what is important to consider for its wider use and implementation across Cheshire and Merseyside.

For more information on the PCF and what we do...

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