County Durham

This information is to help children, young people, their families, and the professionals who support them within County Durham understand how to access support for needs associated with a neurodevelopmental condition.

If you would like to make a referral for your child or a child you are supporting to the County Durham Needs Led Neurodevelopmental Diagnostic Pathway please visit here to download the referral form. The form should be completed as fully as possible by the parent(s) or carer(s) of the child, and at least one professional who knows the child. A teacher, nursery teacher, health visitor or social worker are all examples of professionals who may know the child.

This form is for children aged between 5 and 18 years old. For children aged under 5 please speak to your GP or Health Visitor.

In County Durham, the telephone number for the Health Visiting service is 03000 263 538.

If you’re not registered with a GP practice, you can use the NHS website to find the one nearest to you and information on how to register.

What does neurodevelopment and neurodivergent mean?

The word neurodevelopmental refers to the development of the nervous system, including the brain. Autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and learning disabilities are examples of neurodevelopmental differences. Often these are a spectrum, with variations in the characteristics and severity of any potential differences.

Someone with a neurodevelopmental condition may be referred to as being neurodivergent.

Neurodivergent
The brains of people who are neurodivergent functions, learns and processes information differently to those who are neurotypical.

Neurotypical
The brains of people who are neurotypical functions and processes information in the way society expects.

Neurodivergent is an "umbrella" term which includes a wide range of conditions and disabilities such as autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), sensory processing differences, anxiety, and social and communication differences.

If you have access to the internet there are a couple of short, helpful videos from Differing Minds which explain neurodiversity. Either click the links below or type the following www.youtube.com/@DifferingMinds

What is neurodiversity? (youtube.com)

Neurodiversity for Children - Part 1 - Different Brains (youtube.com)

Neurodiversity for Children - Part 2 - What is Neurodiversity? (youtube.com)

What is County Durham Needs Led Neurodevelopment Diagonostic Pathway?

The County Durham Needs Led Neurodevelopmental Diagnostic Pathway was created to ensure that children and young people who have needs that may or may not be related to neurodevelopment, are supported to have those needs met.

Having an actual diagnosis of a neurodevelopmental condition is not a prerequisite to a child’s needs being met.

The County Durham Needs Led Neurodevelopmental Diagnostic Pathway isn’t focussed on providing just an Autism or ADHD assessment, although if an assessment is appropriate, it can be accessed through the pathway (this is called a neurodevelopmental assessment). The pathway is focussed on understanding all your child’s strengths and builds on those to make sure they get the support they need to thrive. There are many ways that we can support your child depending on what they (and the adults who care for them) need as individuals.

To access the pathway, you and at least one professional who knows your child need to fully complete the referral form and submit it.

If the form is not fully completed or not enough information has been provided, the form will be returned to you. You and your professional(s) will need to include the missing information and re-submit the form before it can be accepted.

What is the Needs Led Multi-Agency Panel?

The information that you provide on the referral form plus any other information that’s available, is considered by a group of specially trained people working as a multi-agency and multi-disciplinary panel. The panel discuss why your child / young person has the needs they do and agree how best to support them.

The Panel take lots of factors into account, and if they feel they need more information to decide, they will always aim to seek this out. This allows for a range of professionals to input to how best to support your child's needs.

The Panel can discuss 50 children's referrals each week. In County Durham, there are between 70 and 80 referral forms received every week. This means that you will have to wait a few weeks from submitting the referral form before its discussed by the Panel.

The Panel will provide you with feedback and their recommendations of how best to support your child. If the Panel think a neurodevelopmental assessment is appropriate the referral form will be accepted by the County Durham Needs Led Neurodevelopment Assessment Service (delivered by Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust) and your child will join the assessment waiting list. You will not need to complete another referral form.

The Panel is made up of specialists from:

County Durham Neurodevelopmental Assessment Service
County Durham SEND and Inclusion Support Service
County Durham Early Help Team

Advice from a parent of neurodiverse children

"The hardest part of getting any kind of support for yourself and your child is taking that first step. Yes it is scary talking to someone you don't know for the first time, or telling someone that you need help. But you've got to do it and you can do it. If you're waiting for someone to notice that you need help, and for them to go get it for you, you might be waiting a very long time.

Find a group of parents who also have neurodiverse children and join them. They've been there and got the T shirt. Talking with others can really help. This is sometimes called "Peer Support" or "Social Support" or "People with Lived Experience". It can be a formal arrangement (a group that meets regularly) or an informal arrangement (a group of friends or people in a similar situation who keep in touch to support each other). There are lots of charities and community groups that offer online virtual meet ups too. You don't have to feel like you're alone, because you're not."

How to access support in County Durham

Families tell us that they are often told their child needs a diagnosis from the NHS before they can receive support.

This is not true.

The no diagnosis = no support is a myth.

Families also tell us they expected a lot of support and services to be made available to them once they received a diagnosis and were shocked when the same support available to them before diagnosis is also available after an assessment or diagnosis and the diagnosis does not give access to any additional support.

Don’t wait for support to be offered to you – you can access support for your child and yourself now.

County Durham Family Hubs

All support available through the County Durham Family Hubs is free. As well as parent groups and free training sessions there are coffee morning style drop-in sessions for parents to speak face to face with a neurodiversity specialist in some of the Family Hub buildings.

You do not have to access the Family Hub nearest you, you can go to any in County Durham. Find your nearest Family Hub. Click on each of the Hub locations to see a schedule of activities, along with the location address and telephone number.

Go to help for families and look for “Courses and groups for families of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)” to find out what neurodevelopmental support is on and where.

The County Durham Family Hubs Facebook page is updated every day with useful information and activities/events taking place across all 15 Family Hubs.

Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and our Local Offer

The "Local Offer" in County Durham is designed to help you find the very best support for your child or young person (from birth to 25 years) with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). It is here to help you find information, advice and guidance about the types of services and support available to you.

It’s Good To Talk!

If your child is in school, ask for a chat with the school SENCO. Each school has a SENCO who is a teacher that has had extra training in special educational needs and/or disabilities. Any parent can ask to meet with the SENCO to talk about their child/the child they care for.

SENCO
SENCO stands for special educational needs and/or disabilities coordinator

If you’d like to talk with other parents, contact Making Changes Together. Making Changes Together are Durham’s official Parent Carer Forum and a group of parent carers volunteers who work with professionals to influence and improve services to children and young people (0-25 years) with special educational needs and disabilities within the Durham local authority area.

The Making Changes Together website has a great list of useful links and support groups.

Durham SEND Information Advice and Support Service

Another good source of support is the Durham SEND Information Advice and Support Service. The service provides confidential information advice and support through a range of services. This includes home visits, attending meetings in educational settings and liaison with all services working with children and young people. Training and guidance to parents/carers, young people and professionals on SEND issues are also provided.

Website: durhamsendiass

Telephone: 0191 587 3541 or 03000 267 007
If you are unable to get through, please leave a voicemail and we will return your call within 5 working days.

Email: sendiass@durham.gov.uk
Online: You can contact us by completing our contact form.
Facebook: Durham SENDIASS Facebook

	How do I get in touch?	Who can they help?	How can they help?
Being a parent of an autistic child (EPEC course) EPEC = Empowering Parents Empowering Communities	Email: EPEC@durham.gov.uk	All families are different, and all autistic children are different. Our free course supports you and your autistic child. For parents, carers, and grandparents.	This is an in-person, 10 week course. If you usually work during the times when the course takes place, get in touch as Family Hubs may be able to support you to attend.
Supporting your autistic child - course from Durham Learn	Durham Learn durhamlearn@durham.gov.uk 03000 266 115	Mams, dads and carers of children or young people who are pre or post autism diagnosis.	A popular series of 10 workshops helping you develop personal coping strategies, communicate better with your child, find out about support both in and out of school. Please note we can enrol you on a course after the start date has passed.
Stepping stones (Triple P) course - course from Family Hubs	Stepping stones (Triple P) course - Durham County Council	Parents who also have a child with a disability or additional needs.	Stepping Stones is for parents of children with a disability or additional need up to the age of 12. It is great if you are struggling with your child's behaviour or if you would like to learn parenting skills to help promote their development and potential.
Supporting your autistic child - workshop by North East Autism Society	To book a place please contact Rebecca Weatherstone on 0191 410 9974 or email rebecca.weatherstone@ne-as.org.uk	Mams, dads and carers of children or young people who are pre or post autism diagnosis.	One off workshop covering, worries and action planning, common misconceptions, differences in autistic children, practical strategies to use in everyday life.
One-to-One session to discuss any issues in confidence with North East Autism Society	To book a session please contact Rebecca Weatherstone on 0191 410 9974 or email rebecca.weatherstone@ne-as.org.uk	Mams, dads and carers of children or young people who are pre or post autism diagnosis.	These appointments are for families that have questions or would like to discuss any issues in confidence.
Online sessions by North East Autism Society	Zoom webinars (ne-as.org.uk)	Mams, dads and carers of children or young people who are pre or post autism diagnosis.	Webinars available through Zoom including: Introduction to supporting autistic children, and Supporting the emotional wellbeing of autistc children
Daisy Chain are the regional hub for Autism Central in the North East and Yorkshire	Delivered by Daisy Chain in 4 Family Hub buildings: Durham (Gilesgate), Peterlee, Chester-le-Street, Bishop Auckland. Daisy Chain contact: 01642 378461 support@daisychainproject.co.uk Daisy chain coffee mornings and workshops - Durham County Council	Parents and carers of children who have a need relating to autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), sensory processing differences, anxiety and social and communication differences.	Coffee mornings and workshops for families of neurodiverse children (with or without a diagnosis). In person workshops: Understanding ADHD Sibling Support Learning Workshop Understanding autistic overwhelm Introduction to ADHD
In-person workshops and events	www.autismcentral.org.uk/events	Parents and carers of children who have a need relating to autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), sensory processing differences, anxiety and social and communication differences.
Online workshops and events	www.autismcentral.org.uk/events	Parents and carers of children who have a need relating to autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), sensory processing differences, anxiety and social and communication differences.	Sessions such as Girls and Autism can be accessed through the website.
Courses to support the health and development of children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND)	The Growing Healthy SEND Team Email: hdft.0-25senddurham@nhs.net	Support for families of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Workshops on topics that are often raised by parents and carers of children with SEND. You can attend at any venue and are welcome to attend one, two or all three sessions depending on what you feel would be useful for your family. The workshops are aimed at parents and carers of SEND children aged two to 10 years old.	* Sleeping well with SEND: strategies and support * Empowering Families: SEND children and continence challenges * Sensory challenges and fussy eating: strategies for SEND children
Making Changes Together Parent Carer Training and Workshops	To book places on any of the training sessions please email: tewv.countydurhamcamhstraining@nhs.net	Parents and carers of children who have a need relating to autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), sensory processing differences, anxiety and social and communication differences.	* Understanding Sleep * Understanding Behaviour Development in Children and Young People * Understanding Why Children Might Be Anxious About School * Anxiety, triggers and how to support your children * Emotional Wellbeing of our children and ourselves
Durham SEND Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) drop-in sessions	sendiass@durham.gov.uk 03000 267 007	Durham SEND Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) is a statutory service providing confidential, impartial support and advice for parents, carers, children and young people up to the age of 25 years in relation to special educational needs and disability. SENDIASS operates at 'arm's length' from the council.	Why not pop into one of the monthly drop-in sessions in our Family Hubs if you: * have questions about your child's educational needs * would like more information or support in relation to SEND * need help with transfer arrangements, or paperwork, regarding the choice of your child's next education setting
Educational Psychology drop-in sessions for parents and carers	03000 261 111	Any parent who is concerned about their child can pop in to one of our drop in sessions, where one of our friendly team can offer advice, talk through your concerns and help you plan what to do next.	We can help if, for example: * You are worried your child isn't talking enough. You struggle to know what is best to do when your child has a 'tantrum'. You've noticed your child doesn't play with other children much. * Your child is always on the go and doesn't sit still for any activity. * Your child really struggles to be apart from you.
Pre-school group for children with complex needs (Portage)	Download, complete and return the form on this website Or telephone 03000 263 350 to complete the form over the phone		We are a group of parents and carers of children, young people and adults aged 0-25 who have special educational needs and/or disabilities who live in North Tyneside. Our aim is to support parents and carers in our community enabling them to access services and give them a voice in shaping and developing these services.
North East Parent carer forums regional PBS (Positive Behaviour Support) Workshops	Book via Eventbrite		We are a group of parents and carers of children, young people and adults aged 0-25 who have special educational needs and/or disabilities who live in North Tyneside. Our aim is to support parents and carers in our community enabling them to access services and give them a voice in shaping and developing these services.

Family Hubs Durham Sleep Action Pathway

Families can access lots of support and advice from the County Durham 0-25 Family Health Service through their app. Download from your usual app store to a smart phone or tablet for free, create an account and then scroll to bottom of the home page to access "Sleep Support".

If you do not have access to a smart phone or tablet, here are the links to trusted information about sleep for children of different ages:

In our place - (for babies and young children)

NHS sleep and young children

Sleep action gateway to good sleep

If you have looked at the above and still need support you can telephone to ask for support from your health visitor or a Sleep Action Workshop in the Family Hubs 03000 263 538. The Sleep Action Workshops can be booked through the Growing Healthy app.

Free online Solihull courses, available to parents, carers and grandparents living in County Durham

As a parent, you already know a great deal about your child. What’s different about the Solihull Approach is that it applies key messages from research to add to your understanding of your child.

The courses below can also be support for your emotional wellbeing. Parenting a child, especially one with additional needs can bring a range of big emotions, that at times may feel overwhelming.

Recognising and processing these feelings is a really important part of the care you provide your child.

Understanding your child with additional needs
Understanding the impact of the pandemic on your child
Understanding the impact of the pandemic on your teenager
Understanding your own trauma
Understanding your child's feelings (a taster course)
Understanding your child's mental health and wellbeing
Understanding your child: from toddler to teenager
Understanding your teenager's brain
Understanding your brain (for teenagers only!)
Understanding your feelings (for teenagers only!)

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

Our child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) service in County Durham and Darlington offers free online training for parents and carers of children and young people. These sessions are for parents/carers of children and young people aged 0 to 25 years of age.

Understanding why children might be anxious about school
Anxiety (age 5 - 11, or over 11)
Emotional wellbeing
Adolescent sexual development and sexual risk
Child to parent violence and aggression
Understanding sleep
Understanding behaviour development in children and young people

County Durham Early Help Team

Early Help is about identifying where a child or young person and their family might need support in either the early years of a child’s life or in the early stages of a problem at any time in their childhood.

For more information, please visit the portage service.

The Toby Henderson Trust

The Toby Henderson Trust (TTHT) is an independently funded charity supporting autistic children, young people and adults, their families and carers in the North East of England. We have an ongoing programme of FREE webinars, support groups and fundraising events. Webinar subjects covered can include Social Stories, Toileting, Sleep and Managing Meltdowns, to name but a few and are available to all families who reside in the UK.

Alternatively you can book by emailing us at: support@ttht.co.uk or calling: 0300 365 3055

A polite note: Please can we encourage you to only book onto webinars if you can attend (whilst appreciating that cancellation is often unavoidable due to the hectic constraints of family life!) Sadly over 100 booked onto a recent webinar but only 16 attended and we had to turn away others prior to the event who had wanted to join but could not because of capacity. This would be very much appreciated. Thank you.

Durham County Carers Support

Durham County Carers Support and Darlington Carers Support offer a variety of different services to local carers. We can work with you to help you find the information you need to care for someone and can inform you about other services to help you look after yourself.

Opening Hours: 9am-5pm Monday-Friday (excluding Bank Holidays)

Address: Durham County Carers Support Enterprise House, Enterprise City Meadowfield Avenue Spennymoor Co Durham DL16 6JF

Telephone: 0300 005 1213 : Text service: 07860017632

Email: admin@dccarers.org

Eric Charity

ERIC is the national charity dedicated to improving children’s bowel and bladder health. They support families to reduce the impact of continence problems for Children and Young People from birth.

Further information can be found by visiting their website.

Council for Disabled Children

The Council for Disabled Children support disabled children and young people and those with special educational needs to have full and happy childhoods, to fulfil their potential, and be active within the community also supporting parents of disabled children to be parents first and live ordinary lives. The service work with health, social care and education services around inclusion, training, education, and policy.

For further information please visit their website.

Little Treasures

We're a volunteer run charity who support autistic adults and children right across the North East. We aim to relieve the needs of autistic adults, children, young people and their parents, carers and siblings by providing facilities for play and recreation in the interests of social welfare in a safe and secure environment, and by providing support and practical advice to parents and carers.

Website

Email - littletreasures18@gmail.com

Tel - 07749681130

Cerebra Sleep Advice Service

Alongside our Sleep Tips booklet and relevant guides, we also offer one-to-one support. This involves completing an application form for your child and two weeks’ worth of sleep diaries which we'll send out to you as long as you come under our criteria for support.

If you need one-to-one support and are a parent/carer or a professional referring a family with their consent to having sleep support, please click the button below to contact the sleep service.

If you have a question or query about our services please visit the website or email us at sleep@cerebra.org.uk.

Independent Provider of Special Education Advice (IPSEA)

Independent Provider of Special Education Advice (known as IPSEA) is a registered charity operating across England. IPSEA offers free and independent legally based information, advice and support to help get the right education for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

For further information please visit the website.

North East Autism Society

The North East Autism Society offers support to families that have a child or children with autism. For further information please visit or contact the following:

Website Email: info@ne-as.org.uk

Tel: 0191 410 9974

National Autistic Society

The National Autistic Society website has an area dedicated to supporting families. You'll find information about how we can help you to support an autistic family member. You can read stories from other families and access support from our community and branches.

Visit the national autistic society website.

County Durham NHS Talking Therapies Service

Talking Therapies is a FREE self-help, counselling and talking therapies service designed to help anyone living in the County Durham and Darlington area to deal with common mental health problems such as stress, anxiety or depression, as well as panic phobias obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder.

For more information visit durham and darlington talking therapies

Or telephone 0191 333 3300 between 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday

Kooth

Kooth is an online mental health service for all children and young people from 11 year to 18 years. Kooth offers a counselling and emotional well-being platform, accessible through mobile phones, tablets and desktop computers and are free at the point of use. It gives children and young people easy access to an online community of peers and a team of experienced counsellors. Access is free of the typical barriers to support: no waiting lists, no thresholds, no costs, and complete anonymity.

The service offers easily accessible mental health support to young people, irrespective of where they are on the spectrum of mild, moderate, or complex need.

Kooth is anonymous and free to use, making it a powerful early intervention and treatment resource which young people are keen to use. Young people can register on Kooth without having to provide personal details such as their name or address. It provides a safe and non-judgmental place for them to talk, connect and chat with others and know they are not alone.

More information can be found on the website.

Contact: For families with disabled children

Contact help families with disabled children. They provide information and advice relating to early years support, education, and learning, training, and parent carer participation.

For further information on how Contact can support you please visit the website.

Neurodiversity Celebration Week

Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences.

The website contains a lot of resources and guides for parents, schools and professionals which can be accessed for free via the website.