About
You’ll find a clear overview of the assessment process here. It explains what happens at each appointment, who you will meet, and how information is shared, so children, young people and families can feel prepared and supported at every step.
Initial appointment
Online appointment and keyworker
We offer a first appointment with the parent or carer. This appointment is usually online using a video call.
The aim is to learn more about the child or young person. This includes their background, development and experiences that are relevant to the assessment.
We will also assign a keyworker from the Children and Young People Neurodevelopmental Partnership Team. The keyworker will coordinate the assessment and be your main contact.
Working with other services and practitioners
Gathering information
We collect information from people who work, or have worked, with the child or young person.
This may include written updates from school staff, such as a teacher or SENCo. We may also speak with them directly.
Second appointment
Half-day face-to-face appointment
The child or young person and their parent or carer attend a face‑to‑face appointment. At least two, often three, members of the CYPNP team will be present.
We start by talking about why the assessment is needed and how we hope to help.
We ask for informed consent from the young person, where appropriate, and their parent or carer.
After this, and where possible, we see the young person and the parent or carer separately.
After two hours, the family have a break while the professionals pull together all the information and decide whether an outcome can be fed back.
After the break, either the outcome of the assessment is given. With time for questions. You will leave with a letter confirming any diagnosis and a clear plan for the young person. Or a clear plan for what further assessment is made.
Follow-up appointments
Gathering further information
We offer follow‑up appointments if we need more information to complete the assessment. What happens at these appointments depends on the young person’s needs. They may include specialist assessments, such as:
- thinking and learning skills
- speech and language needs
- other areas of difference
We may also look at other possible reasons for the young person’s needs. This could include medical or genetic factors, attachment needs, or the impact of difficult life experiences.
We may observe the young person at school or at home.
Support after the outcome
We write a detailed report for the young person. This includes a formulation (understanding) of their areas of difference, personalised recommendations, and confirms any diagnosis.
Families can ask for a follow‑up appointment within three months of receiving the report.
We give clear recommendations and signpost to next steps and support.
If ADHD is diagnosed, we will transfer you to the ADHD post-diagnostic support.
Clinic locations
Face to face appointments take place at the following clinics:
- Taunton
- Bridgwater
- Shepton Mallet
- Frome
- Yeovil
- Chard
- Minehead (only for ADHD follow-ups)
- Wellington (only for ADHD follow-ups)
