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SEND waiting times

Waiting times for children and young people needing autism, ADHD, community audiology, mental health and therapy services have increased since the Covid pandemic and whilst many are improving, the time spent waiting for assessment, treatment and services continues to be an understandably significant area of concern for families.

We are working hard to improve waiting times, as well as the support available to families while they wait.

What happens while my child is waiting? 

Your child does not need a medical diagnosis to get support from a service or their school. Settings and services will still support your child based on their needs whilst they are on the assessment waiting list.

Resources and information which may be helpful while your child is waiting for their assessment can be found in our SEND resources section of the website.

My child has waited longer than the time stated in my acceptance letter

During the year, waiting times do vary. Sometimes this is because:

  • we have had an increase in the number of children with very complex needs to assess. Their assessments can take much longer.
  • there have been clinical emergencies. These have to take priority over the assessment waiting list. 
  • if the team is not fully staffed, this can affect the waiting time too. We will try and keep you informed by letter where possible, if we expect this to affect your wait time. 

Telephone calls about waiting lists

If you phone a service, call handlers will try and help as much as they can, but they are not clinicians and will not be able to answer any clinical questions.

Call handlers cannot move your child up the waiting list as each referral is 'triaged' by a trained clinician. We aim to see children in the order that referrals are received but we cannot tell you specifically when your child will be seen, as the assessments of children and young people ahead on the waiting list may take longer than expected or there may be clinical emergencies for a child who needs to be seen urgently.   

Information about the wait times

Below you will see the average wait times for the different services. As these are average times, your child may be offered an appointment earlier or later than the times shown here.

Waiting times can vary depending on the reason you are seeing us and who you are seeing. All cases are ‘triaged’ to make sure that we can prioritise those who may need to be seen more urgently.

There are support resources you can access while you wait, which are listed below.

How are the waiting times calculated?

Average waiting time shows the average (mean) time that children and young people have been waiting for an assessment. Our services calculate their average in the same way NHS England do theirs. They do this by taking the number of weeks everyone on the waiting list has been waiting, adding them together, and then dividing it by the number of people on the waiting list. 

Please note that these waiting times relate to the initial appointment.  There may be a further wait for a follow-up appointment or treatment, if required.

Autism and ADHD assessments (South and West Hertfordshire)

Support while you are waiting

Our neurodiversity support hub is available with phone lines for you to reach out to. 

This service is staffed by experts by experience. Your child doesn’t need to have a diagnosis to get this support.

Community Paediatrics Initial Autism Assessment (Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust)

Average wait time for initial appointment: 21 weeks
How are these waiting times calculated? 

 

 

How they will communicate with you

You will be sent a letter letting you know whether your child or young person's referral has been accepted or rejected. The letter will have a contact phone number and email address in case you have a concern. 

Those waiting for assessment receive a text every 2 months with links to support groups and methods for feedback. 

__________________________________________

Follow-up Autism assessment (following completion of the initial assessment) (Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust)

Average wait time for initial appointment: 29 weeks 
How are these waiting times calculated?

How they will communicate with you

You will get a letter to tell you that your child has been placed on the waiting list for an autism assessment.

We will need to ask your child's school to complete a school questionnaire (if this is not already on record). We will contact you to ask for your consent for us to contact them.

We will call you when we are planning to book your child’s appointment. A clinician will ask you for an update on the current situation and explore with you if any reasonable adjustments are needed for your child to access their appointment. They will share information about the assessment and answer any questions you have.

You will then be called by an administrator to offer an autism appointment. You will also receive a confirmation of this by text message. You will get an email with pre assessment information, to outline what will happen during the assessment with the appointment details and location map. Any additional information needed to prepare your child is also sent as needed.

__________________________________________

Step2 ADHD Screening (Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust)

No wait time information available

How they will communicate with you

Within 4 weeks of us receiving your referral, we will send you a text to let you know whether the referral has been added to the ADHD screening waiting list, or else we will signpost you to other support.

We will also send you a letter with the outcome of the pre-screen process. The letter is also sent to the referrer and the HPFT single point of access (SPA), stating that further assessment is needed.

You will receive a confirmation by text which will include contact information.

If the pre-screen does not identify that your child needs an ADHD assessment, you will receive a letter with recommendations for further support.

You can also request an ADHD call back if you need additional information. 

__________________________________________

ADHD Assessments (from completion of screening) (Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust)

Average wait time: 58 weeks
How are these waiting times calculated?

How they will communicate with you

You will be sent a letter letting you know if your child or young person's referral has been accepted or rejected. The letter has a phone number and email address for contact in case you have any concerns.

You will then receive a letter approximately every 6 months with a list of resources that are available and a reminder of our contact details.

Community Paediatrics Initial Assessment for Autism and/or ADHD (East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust (ENHT))

Average wait time for initial appointment: 62 weeks
How are these waiting times calculated?

How they will communicate with you

This service is staffed by Consultant Community Paediatricians. 

You will be sent a letter letting you know if your child or young person's referral has been accepted. The letter has a phone number and email address for contact in case you have any concerns.

You will receive a text message at 6 months asking if you wish for your child or young person to remain on the list.

The initial assessment takes place, and your child is then added to the ASD waiting list if appropriate. Some children or young people may be diagnosed at the first appointment, however for others further information may be required.

Your child may be added to the ADHD assessment pathway and a follow up appointment will be booked. Further information may be required prior to the follow up appointment. 

__________________________________________

Follow Up Autism Assessment following completion of initial assessment (East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust)

Average wait time: 48 weeks
How are these waiting times calculated? 

 

How they will communicate with you

We will let you (or your GP or the person who referred your child or young person) know when your child has been placed on the waiting list for an autism assessment and a letter confirming this will follow.

If it is not already on record, you will be required to confirm your consent for the team to liaise with school. The school will be required to complete the school questionnaire.

You will be called by an administrator who will offer an autism appointment and this will then be confirmed by text message and/or letter.

You will be sent the pre-assessment information by email outlining what will happen during the assessment, along with the appointment details and location map. Any additional information needed to prepare the child is also sent as needed.

Following the assessment, the report will be sent out to you or your GP (or the person who referred your child) within 8 - 10 weeks. This letter will also contain details of support services available. 

The service aims to follow up with a telephone call 6 - 8 weeks after a diagnosis, after which your child or young person will be discharged from the service.

__________________________________________

ADHD Follow Up Assessment (East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust)

No wait time information available

How they will communicate with you

You (or your GP or the person who referred your child) will be informed when your child has been placed on the waiting list for an ADHD assessment and a letter confirming this will follow.

If it is not already on record, you will be asked to give your consent for the team to liaise with the school to receive a completed school questionnaire.

Your child will be booked onto a follow up appointment for ADHD. Your child may receive a diagnosis at this appointment, however, it may take further appointments.

If your child or young person is diagnosed, and medication is not required, your child will be discharged. If medication is required there will be ongoing follow up appointments with the Consultant, the ADHD Specialist Nurse and GP, as part of your Shared Care agreements. 

Children’s Hearing Services - Community Audiology (East and North Hertfordshire)

Average wait time for initial appointment: 53 weeks
How are these waiting times calculated?

How they will communicate with you

You will get a letter with contact details when you have been referred into the service. The next communication will be the initial appointment with us. 

If you have any questions, concerns or feedback about the children’s hearing services, please call 01438 285695 or email us at audiology.enh-tr@nhs.net.

__________________________________________

Children’s Hearing Services - Community Audiology (South and West Hertfordshire) 

Average wait time for initial appointment: 20 weeks
How are these waiting times calculated?

How they will communicate with you

You will get a letter with contact details when you have been referred into the service. The next communication will be the initial appointment with us.

 

Speech and Language Therapy

Support while you are waiting

There are things you can do to support your child’s communication skills at home. Look under ‘Useful information’ and 'information for professionals' on the Speech and Language Therapy webpage to find information on talking tips, social communication skills, and what to expect when.

You can also find Self help resources on this website for you to use with your child at home.

Speech and Language Therapy

Average wait time for initial appointment: 8 weeks
How are these waiting times calculated?

How they will communicate with you

You will receive a letter when your child or young person's referral has been accepted. You will then receive a text message with a link to book your child’s first appointment. 

You can call the Therapies Advice Line to speak to a therapist about a new referral or a child’s development. Call 01923 470680, selecting option 3 then option 1.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy

Average wait time for initial appointment: 16 weeks
How are these waiting times calculated? 

How they will communicate with you

You will receive a letter when your child or young person's referral has been accepted. This letter includes QR codes linking to relevant strategies and advice.

You can call the therapies advice line to speak to a therapist about a new referral or a child’s development. Call 01923 470680, selecting option 3 then option 1. 

Physiotherapy

Support while you are waiting

There are things you can do to support your child at home. Look on the Children’s Physiotherapy webpages under ‘Information for Parents’ for strategies, videos and advice on how to support your child’s physical development.

Physiotherapy

Average wait time for initial appointment: 11 weeks
How are these waiting times calculated? 

How they will communicate with you

You will receive a letter when your referral has been accepted. This letter includes QR codes linking to relevant strategies and advice.

You can call the Therapies Advice Line to speak to a therapist about a new referral or a child’s development. Call 01923 470680, selecting option 3, then option 1. 

Children and Young People's Mental Health Services (CYPMHS)

There is a range of CYPMHS in Hertfordshire that can be accessed by children, young people and families. For more information, please visit the Just Talk website where you'll also find specific advice on support available for children, young people and families who are waiting for a mental health service.

For access to HCT PALMS and HPFT CAMHS and Eating Disorder services please visit the CAMHS website or call the Single Point of Access (SPA) on 0800 6444 101 to discuss your worries and concerns and refer your child on their behalf. 

Find out more about the PALMS service.  PALMS can be contacted on 01727 582122 or alternatively professionals and families are encouraged to contact the service by email: hct.palms@nhs.net  

 

Why the wait? 

We know that any time waiting for support can be both worrying and frustrating for parents and carers. We sincerely apologise for this.  

There has been a continuous increase in requests for support in recent years which has increased pressures on health services. Waiting lists increased during the Covid pandemic when children developed needs earlier and more significantly as a result of the government's restrictions. We are still seeing the impact of this: waiting times are longer because health services are having a lot more children referred to them for help and support - the number of referrals being received is now twice what it was three years ago.

There is also a national and local shortage of the specialist staff needed to deliver these services. These roles require years of education and training. Within Hertfordshire we have developed a range of career pathways into our organisations which include:- degree apprenticeship posts, overseas recruitment, dedicated training and education for non-qualified roles and working in partnership with education settings, the voluntary sector and social care.

Further Support 

Remember that you are not alone and there is support available.

If you're struggling to access support, you can contact SENDIASS 

01992 555847

email info@hertssendiass.org.uk

Page was last updated on: 29/11/2024 11:19:04

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