Derby and Derbyshire Neurodiverse Community Hubs
There are 4 which can be found in South Derbyshire, Derby City, Central Derbyshire and High Peak.
With no formal referral needed, the hubs will offer children, young people up to the age of 25, their families and carers drop-ins for advice and information, one to one sessions or groups via appointments, a space to work out how to manage their situation, support with the assessment process, before and after a diagnosis, training for parents and individuals, and specialist sessions covering housing, benefits, finance and employment.
The hubs will also provide a safe and supportive environment where people can ask questions, be heard without having to repeat their story, receive hope and encouragement to reduce isolation.
Neurodevelopmental Pathway - Derby City & South Derbyshire
Localities: Derby City, Erewash, Amber Valley, South Derbyshire and South Derbyshire Dales
The Neurodevelopmental Pathway is a specialist service responsible for the assessment of neurodevelopmental conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Referrals for an ADHD assessment for children will be considered from the age of 5 and a half years.
Find out more about the support available to children and young people living in Derby and South Derbyshire who need an assessment for a neurodevelopmental condition.
Neurodevelopmental Pathway – North Derbyshire
Localities: Chesterfield, North East Derbyshire and Bolsover, High Peak, North Derbyshire Dales
The Neurodevelopmental Pathway at Chesterfield Royal Hospital is a specialist multi-professional pathway supporting families in North Derbyshire. The pathway includes the Child Development Psychology Team, Specialist Speech and Language Therapists and Consultant Paediatricians.
The service is aimed at assessing neurodevelopmental conditions including Autism Spectrum Disorder in children from pre-school age up to age 17 years. This can also include Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and we consider the relationship between abilities, behaviour and development.
The assessment process usually includes several stages, such as discussion and information gathering from parents and carers as well as meeting and assessing the child in an appropriate setting. This has recently expanded to include virtual assessment options. We will also gather information from school when the child attends school and ask parents to complete some questionnaires.
We aim to identify the child’s strengths and areas of needs. The assessments may or may not lead to a diagnosis depending on the needs of the child. We will then support parents and carers to understand the outcome and what this means for their child and also suggest any other helpful support options.
Referrals can only be made by letter by health professionals, such as GPs, addressed to:
Paediatrics Department, The Den, Chesterfield Royal Hospital, Calow, Derbyshire, S44 5BL.
Referrals are only for children whose GPs are in North Derbyshire. However, health professionals can refer from out of this area as long as the child lives in North Derbyshire.
For enquiries, call the department on 01246 514549.
Neurodevelopmental Pathway – Glossop
For information about the assessment pathways for Autism and ADHD, please visit:
Tameside Metropolitan Borough - Autism Service for Children
Tameside Metropolitan Borough - ADHD and Autism
For general information about support groups and advice, please visit:
Tameside Metropolitan Borough - Advice and Support Groups for Parents
Do you have a query around Autism or ADHD and need support? Contact the CAMHS Service on 0161 716 3600 to access one of the Tuesday consultation slots with one of the Neuro Specialist Team. This could be delivered digitally, over the phone, or, where there are risks, we can support face to face. You can access more than one consultation appointment if you need to.
Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools Project (PINS)
The Partnership for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools Project (PINS) is a nationally funded pilot project for 2024/25, building on the success of the national Autism in Schools Project. The approach of PINS has been developed around the key principles of Autism in Schools:
- Whole School Approach
- Good quality training for staff
- Parents Supporting Parents groups
- Understanding students experience of schools
In Derby and Derbyshire, PINS is being delivered through a partnership by the NHS, Local Authorities and the Derby and Derbyshire Parent Carer Forums in mainstream primary settings to:
- Help shape whole school SEND provision
- Provide early interventions at a school level
- Upskill school staff
- Support strengthening of partnerships between schools and parent carers
We hope that PINS will leave a sustainable impact after the funded period and build evidence on the benefits of closer collaboration between education and health, including working collaboratively across professional boundaries.
The focus is on a needs drive rather than a diagnosis focussed programme. Strengthening knowledge, skills and improving environments to better meet the needs of neurodiverse children, will reframe the focus to how a supportive learning environment and well-equipped school can improve the outcomes for this group of children.
37 mainstream primary schools across Derby and Derbyshire are taking part in the PINS project.