Learning disabilities and autism services, and neurodevelopmental services

Clinical assessment, diagnosis and support

ESNEFT are the trust that manage Colchester and Ipswich hospitals. They provide clinical assessment and diagnoses for children and young people with suspected neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD). The ESNEFT NDD team can also liaise with fellow health and care professionals, such as physiotherapists or health visitors, if the child or young person presents with additional medical needs.

Benefits of a diagnosis

A diagnosis can help children, their families, teachers, and friends understand why they may be experiencing certain difficulties and what can be done to support them.

How to access this service

If you feel your child would benefit from having a (NDD) assessment, please speak to your child’s GP, therapist, school or health visitor. Assessments are available for children and young people aged 0 – 19.

Neurodevelopment Pathway Coordinators Service

Coordinators provide early and individualised support at any time in a family’s journey, whether they are already being supported by some services or are just beginning to explore the help on offer.

Coordinators act as a single point of access, and work to ensure families receive consistent support and access to all available information on relevant services. Coordinators work with families until the point that all of their needs have been fully met.

How to access this service, provided by HCRG Care Group, in partnership with Barnado’s

You can self-refer yourself to this service by contacting the Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service directly.

Dial freephone 0300 247 0015 and ask for the Neurodevelopment Pathway Coordinators team. Alternatively, you can email the team at vcl.essexne-neurocoord@nhs.net.

Autism Anglia

Autism Anglia provide an advocacy service. They can help advocate on issues such as:

• Pre and post-diagnostic advice and support
• Access to Healthcare
• Education
• Housing
• Social care
• Welfare Rights
• Criminal justice

How to access services provided by Autism Anglia

Any individual, parent or professional from North East Essex are able to refer a child or young person into the advocacy service. This includes care co-ordinators, social workers, schools and health professionals. To refer yourself or a family you’re supporting, contact Autism Anglia direct.

Families InFocus (Essex)

Families InFocus offer one-to-one support, advice and guidance to families. Examples of support they offer include:

• helping families to complete disability benefits applications,
• giving advice on housing and social care issues
• supporting with all SEND educational issues, including advice and support with Education and health care (EHC) needs assessments and EHC plans (including preparing for and attending tribunals)

They also provide activity clubs, workshops, peer-to-peer coffee mornings.

How to access this service, provided by Families InFocus

You can self-refer yourself to this service by contacting Families InFocus directly.

The Maze Group

The MAZE Group run free monthly drop-in sessions, a specialist weekly programme and additional workshops to guide, advise and support families of children with additional needs. The Maze Group run special educational needs and disability (SEND) parenting groups with regular coffee mornings in Colchester and Tendring.

How to access this service, provided by The Maze Group

You can self-refer yourself to this service by contacting The Maze Group directly.

Health and care professional supporting a family?

Health and care professionals can contact the Neurodevelopment Pathway Coordinators team via SystmOne, by sending a referral task directly to the neurodevelopmental coordinators via the Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service.