Schools on neurodevelopmental front line - teacher

Surrey County Council heard schools were supporting students

Schools have said they are “on the front line” in supporting children with neurodevelopmental (ND) needs, with support in Surrey described as “impossible to access”.

Councillors heard Mindworks, a group of providers supporting children with mental health and neurodivergent (ND) issues, paused new referrals on 1 September 2023.

Head teacher Kerry Oakley said children with ND needs were struggling with aspects of the curriculum, social interactions and self-regulation.

At an adult and health select committee meeting, councillors said they were “not assured” there was a plan with timelines, activities, accountability and funding.

'Social model'

Chairman Tefor Hogg said: “A plan is needed now and not in a year’s time.”

Ms Oakley, head teacher at Carrington Secondary, said schools were making adjustments to support students, including ear defenders, exit cards, uniform adjustments, amended timetables and quiet spaces, and dealt with outbursts or non-attendance by distressed students and frustrated parents.

Councillor Fiona Davidson said schools and parents felt "the responsibility has been wholly handed over to schools without a proper transition".

The Mindworks pathway reopened on 1 December and started accepting new referrals under new criteria, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The committee heard about 7,300 cases are on ND pathways and about 3,600 children are waiting for a diagnosis of autism and/or ADHD, while 900 children were waiting for ADHD medication because of national delays and shortages.

Mindworks said it previously operated an NHS model of diagnosis and treatment, but had moved to also offering practical support to improve children’s environments.

Graham Wareham, chief executive of Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS, a Mindworks partner, said: “If the treatment is the social model of treatment, then waiting for a diagnosis does not delay practical support.”

Council documents show demand grew at a rate that could not be matched by resources, and that referrals grew to 40 per day on average, with the highest being 91 referrals in one day.

The service is commissioned to reach 10 to15 referrals per week. About 183% more referrals were made than Surrey Mindworks was contracted for in 2023/24, an officer said.