Diagnosis – Information & Support
Community Paediatrics
In West Kent, Community Paediatrics are responsible for assessment of developmental conditions including autism and ADHD. Their website details the referral process, waiting times and what you can expect to happen at your first appointment. There are also links to other services and information on the website. If your child has been referred for ASC and ADHD pathway aged 11 + NELFT will be responsible for assessment.
NELFT have produced a series of YouTube videos to support parents awaiting an autism diagnosis – topics include anxiety, sleep and emotional regulation & relationships.
Kent & Medway Integrated Care System
The Learning Disability, autism & ADHD Hub has information for children, young people and adults including the “This is Me” and “PINS” project, Right to Choose & Dynamic Support Approach.
This is Me
Maidstone is the first area in the county to launch the ‘This is Me’ program, which is planned to be rolled out across Kent. All parents can register for the resource hub.
Children’s Therapies – The POD
The Pod is a really useful website with information about Kent’s therapy services, including occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language, care coordination and neurodivergence. There are useful resources including a Sensory Processing Workshop. There is currently a helpline 0300 123 7004 set up to get advice from occupational therapy, speech and language & physiotherapy. Please see website for more information.
Kent School Health
Provide information and signposting on several topics, including toileting, sleep, behaviour, healthy lifestyle/diet and puberty. You can self refer to this service. For younger children, contact the Health Visiting team
Kent Family Hubs
Kent Family Hubs run several different service across Kent, including Talking Walk-Ins (Speech and language drop ins), SEND stay and plays, groups for older neurodivergent children and parenting courses.
Portage
Portage is an educational service for pre-school children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), who are not attending an early years setting. They support pre-school children who have a significant delay in 2 or more areas of their development.
Kent Adult Education
Offer several parenting courses, including Autism Awareness and Supporting ADHD in the Home
Sheffield Children’s NHS Trust
Have produced a vast online Autism Support resource. It is divided into different topics such as communication, sleeping, puberty, emotional wellbeing. Anyone can access, it includes videos and downloadable resources.
The Solihull Approach
Parents in Kent and Medway can access the The Solihull Approach parenting courses for free. Just create an account and Apply Access Code Invicta. There are courses from antenatal to teenagers on a variety of topics, including Understanding your child with additional needs.
The Leeds Teaching Hospitals
The Learning Disability Team have a specific website with easy read information regarding reasonable adjustments and other legal information in their resource section, which will apply nationally. They have also produced a library of leaflets, including easy read, to help people with hospital visits or to medical diagnosis.
KCC Handbook
Kent County Council produced A Handbook for Families – Information on autism and ADHD in children
Mental Health Support
Kent Emotional Wellbeing Team
Part of the government initiative also known as Mental Health Support Teams. They are trained to help children at school with their emotional wellbeing and mental health. Your school needs to be on the list to see if they are taking part. Parents can access resources and request support via this link https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/kent-emotional-wellbeing-team.
Children & Young People’s Mental Health Services/ CAMHS
Chid and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in West Kent are known as Kent & Medway Children & Young People’s Mental Health Services (CYPMHS) and are run by NELFT NHS foundation. NELFT are also responsible for other services in West Kent – including Autism & ADHD assessments from the age of 11 and Eating Disorders Service. To make a referral to CYPMHS you can speak to someone on the Single Point of Access Number (SPA) 0800 011 3474 or complete an online referral form.
For urgent support (including outside office hours) call Mental Health Direct on 111 (option 2) or 0800 995 1000
Kent & Medway Integrated Care System
Kent & Medway commission various different services for adults & children, which are free to access to support their mental health and well being. This link gives you the most up to date link with services that you can access.
SHOUT
For people of all ages needing immediate mental health support, just text the word ‘Shout” to 85258 or go to their website https://giveusashout.org/get-help/ and click ‘text us’.
Kooth
Kooth is a mental health and wellbeing online platform for young people aged 10 to 25 across the whole of Kent. The service is free and can be accessed at www.kooth.com. It’s a place to get advice, information and support 24/7. Young people can chat to a friendly qualified counsellor. All content is fully moderated.
MoodSpark
A website designed by young people for young people.
Kent Resilience Hub
Website to learn about mental health and find tips and resources to support your child’s emotional wellbeing.
CAMHS Resources
This link will take you to a really useful CAMHS site, which has information leaflets about all aspects of mental health.
We Are With You
Mind and Body is a free programme for young people aged 13-25 who are self-harming, at risk of self-harming or struggling with their mental health.
Financial Support
Contact
Provide information on their website and a helpline for Disability Living Allowance claims. They also have detailed information and advice for other benefits including; Personal Independence Payments, Universal Credit, Carer’s Allowance and others.
Turn 2 Us
Provide an online benefits calculator, to help you check you are getting what you are entitled to and grant search. They have also produced a PIP helper.
Space 2 Be Me 