Updates from the parent carer engagement events in July 2024 to share the latest developments.

Updates from the parent carer engagement events in July 2024 to share the latest developments to the Neurodiversity Transformation Project.

The Neurodiversity Transformation Project was born out of changes across Health since last March 2023. The transformation project was created to co-ordinate this review and is led by the ICB and co-chaired by the three Parent Carer Forums (PCF) across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG).

Using the information from last November's Discovery conference a data pack was shared with stakeholders to help support the discussions with a view to collectively create ideas to help solve the problems.

Members of our Parent Voice team joined with professionals from health services, schools and social care to explore neurodiversity services in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

As part of the first stage of the Neurodiversity Transformation Project, the Integrated Care Board (ICB) created a survey in order to further understand the current experiences and journey before and after assessment for parent carers, practitioners and professionals who are supporting children and young people with neurodivergent needs. This closed on 31st December 2023.

Thank you to all those who took part in our listening event. It was really a helpful event in which we heard from families at all different stages of their journey and received invaluable information which will be fed back in the Neurodiversity Transformation Project

The BNSSG ICB is currently undertaking a Neurodiversity Transformation project that will inform a future model to support children and young people with Neurodiverse needs. Incorporating the views and experience of children and young people, parent carers, and system partners is vital to the success of this project.

Today, the CEOs of ICB and Sirona Health and Care informed us that the autism assessment criteria will revert back to the process that was in place, before the changes that were announced on 1st March 2023.

On March 16th, we wrote to the ICB to express your concerns and share your feedback. We are now waiting for an official response from the ICB. Families passionately believe that needs-based support should not come at the expense of a referral and potential diagnoses for those that seek it.

Parent Carer Forums in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) share the next steps in light of recently announced changes to Autism assessment and paediatric services.

The 3 Parent Carer Forums across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire respond to the recently announced changes that narrow the referral criteria for children and young people to obtain an Autism diagnosis.