Recent findings from the area SEND inspection for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Local Area Partnership highlighted the importance of increasing assessment capacity and strengthening support for children and young people with SEND waiting for neurodevelopmental assessments.  This update outlines the work currently underway in Dorset that supports this direction, including expanding capacity and embedding a needs-led approach.

New capacity for children and young people autism and ADHD services

We are pleased to confirm that Haven Medical Primary Healthcare Ltd has been assessed as meeting NHS Dorset’s criteria to hold an NHS Standard Contract to deliver children and young people’s autism and ADHD services. They are based in Poole and are exploring premises in the west of the county.

A second independent sector provider is progressing through the onboarding process, and we anticipate they will also hold an NHS Standard Contract early in the new financial year.

Together, this means that for the first time in several years, we do not forecast growth in the community paediatric waiting lists for 2026/27, which we believe is a significant step forward.

How this capacity will be used

We know how challenging long waits are for children and their families. For this reason, the additional capacity from these providers will be used to support those who have been waiting the longest within local NHS community paediatric services.

  • The first group to be offered appointments will be University Hospitals Dorset patients, where waiting times are currently the longest.
  • Dorset County Hospital patients will be offered the same opportunity once waiting times across both hospitals reach parity.

Community paediatric services will contact eligible patients directly.

Support whilst waiting for neurodevelopment assessment

We recognise that wating times remain long, and this can be worrying and frustrating for families. Support is available while you wait, including resources on this website and through the SEND Local Offer. As Dorset has two local authorities, there are two Local Offer websites, each providing information about services, support and guidance for children and young people with SEND.

Independent advice is also available from Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Services (SENDIASS) with two teams covering the different local authority areas. These services provide free, impartial and confidential advice:

Developing a needs-led model of neurodiversity care

System partners agree that we need to move towards a needs-led model of care, rather than a diagnosis-first approach. As part of this work, we will be developing and testing the Neurodiversity Exploration and Strengths Tool – Dorset (NEST-D). This approach is designed to help identify children and young people’s strengths and needs earlier and develop personalised support plans. Where appropriate, individuals may then progress to full diagnostic assessment.

To support this shift, Dorset HealthCare has received funding to lead a proof-of-concept, which will explore how this approach can support children and young people locally. Dorset HealthCare will be working with two cohorts as part of this work:

  • Children and young people currently on the community paediatric waiting list; and
  • New referrals from a small number of schools across the county.

The proof-of-concept is expected to run until March 2027, and the learning gathered will be used to develop a business case exploring whether the approach is effective and how it can be used more widely.

Adult services

Whilst children and young people have been the immediate focus, adults remain an important part of our wider neurodiversity programme. We have been looking at transition points and the size of adult waiting lists to better understand current pressures and experiences. These insights are informing early discussions about how adult services could be improved in the future.

Adults waiting for assessment or following an assessment may also wish to access universal psychological therapy or wellbeing services through Dorset HealthCare’s Steps2Wellbeing Service. This service is not specific to neurodevelopmental needs, but can offer general emotional and wellbeing support. You can self-refer: Referral form

Dorset HealthCare also offers a wide range of free recovery education courses, focusing on wellbeing and personal development. These courses are available to adults who live in Dorset. Find more information: Recovery Education Centre – Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Further information

If you have concerns about your experience or wish to make a complaint, you can contact the organisation responsible for your care, or NHS Dorset which is the Integrated Care Board for the county. Information on how to do this can be found here: