Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) Neurodiversity Team

The CAMHS Neurodiversity Team is a small multi-disciplinary team comprising of a Clinical Psychologist, Occupational Therapist and a Care Navigator with support from Psychiatrists and Speech and Language Therapists.  The CAMHS Neurodiversity Team assesses children and young people from the age of 11 to 18 for Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Referrals into the CAMHS Neurodiversity Team, for children and young people from 11 to 18 years old, can be made by any health, education or social care professional working with the child or young person. Before a referral is made for an assessment a Team Around the Child (TAC) meeting should be arranged to bring professionals together to explore the child’s needs. Support should be put in place via the Gloucestershire Graduated Pathway (MyPlan, My Plan Plus and EHCP) or equivalent, based on the child’s needs. A diagnosis is not required in order to access support.

There is no requirement for an assessment by an Educational Psychologist or Advisory Teacher prior to the referral.

GPs are able to continue making referrals to the service, however it is advised that referral forms are completed by professionals working more closely with the young person eg. SENCo or Social Worker to ensure a detailed overview of the young person’s needs is provided. If the young person is not in an Education setting, the GP should contact the CAMHS Neurodiversity Team for advice

Due to very high levels of demand, there is a long wait for both Autism and ADHD assessments through the CAMHS Neurodiversity Team.

To refer a child to the CAMHS Neurodiversity Team a professional should complete the Referral Form and send to camhs.neuro@ghc.nhs.uk  email address with the following supporting information: 

• Family Information Form
• School Report Form (if in an Education setting)

• MyPlan/MyPlan+ or EHCP (or equivalent) All children and young people should have a plan of support in place prior to referral for an assessment
• SENCo/Teacher reports if in an education setting
• Therapy reports (if involved)
• Reports from Educational Psychology/Advisory Teaching Service (if available)

Please Note:

Children under the age of 11 are assessed for autism through the Social Communication and Autism Assessment Service: https://www.ghc.nhs.uk/our-teams-and-services/cyp-glos/scaas/

Children under the age of 11 are assessed for ADHD through the Community Paediatric Service via GP referral.

Support should be put in place via the Graduated Pathway for children under the age of 11 prior to requesting a referral to SCAAS or Community Paediatrics.