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.
Second appointment
Face-to-face appointment
The child or young person and their parent or carer attend a face‑to‑face appointment. Two 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.
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.
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.
Feedback, report, recommendations and follow-up
Discussing the outcome
We offer a feedback appointment to explain and discuss the assessment outcome.
We write a detailed report for the young person. This includes a formulation (understanding) of their areas of difference and confirms any diagnosis.
You 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.
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)
