NDAS (Neuro Developmental Assessment Service)

Update: 13 September 2024

NDAS provides a diagnostic pathway for children and young people presenting with neurodevelopmental difficulties. Neurodevelopmental disorders are a group of conditions that usually show before a child enters primary school. They are indicated by developmental difficulties that may make it difficult for a child to function in personal, social, academic, or occupational circumstances. NDAS provides an assessment to diagnose what the neurodevelopmental difficulty is so that children, their families and those around them have a better understanding of how to support that child in day-to-day life.

The waiting list to access NDAS has been increasing, along with the time it takes to get to an assessment. To tackle this, NHS Highland and The Highland Council have created an NDAS Programme Board, a group of key clinical and managerial leaders. This group have come together to create and deliver an improvement plan to ensure that the children who need to access NDAS can do so quickly and easily.

This group will meet monthly to oversee and guide the work that has already started, and make sure that improvements are being made. The first meeting was held on 11 September 2024, where it was agreed that: -

  • The routes into NDAS and the workforce involved will be mapped out and reviewed, so that we can use our resource effectively and flexibly

  • The carers of those currently on the waiting list will be contacted and updated. This has been done, and all families should have received direct communications from NDAS

  • Improvements to the service need to be informed by service users and their families, to make sure it meets their needs

  • We will work with our partners and the 3rd sector to make sure that support and information on how to manage neurodevelopmental difficulties is available and easily accessible

  • The referral data (the information that NDAS is given by anyone asking for an assessment of a child) will be reviewed. This is to make sure that NDAS has the information it needs so that a child receives the right type of care quickly

It was also agreed that after each NDAS Programme Board meeting an update would be publicly communicated so that we can keep you up to date with the improvements we are making and provide reassurance to those who interact with NDAS.

If you would like information, advice and support, more information can be found here:

Just Ask enquiry line: This enquiry line is for Highland parents, carers, children, young people, and those who work with them. Phone 0300 303 1365 any Tuesday or Thursday between 1pm - 4pm, and a professional will aim to be in touch within a few days of your initial call. If the professional does not manage to get in touch within 7 days, please do ring the number back.

www.thepineshighland.com - Resources to support families/carers and young people are available on the website. This includes information about different neurodevelopmental conditions and ideas to help. There are social stories and visual schedules, details of upcoming Pines events and access to the Pines Library. They also have a broad selection of training films created by members of the Pines team.

Thriving Families (previously known as CHIP+): This Highland-wide charity aims to give families confidence, empowering them to know their rights, know what questions to ask and have their voices heard. They provide an independent information, advice and support service for families with children (up to age 25) with additional support needs. They also offer digital peer support.

Email: info@thrivingfamilies.org.uk

Phone: 07514 120 288 www.facebook.com/thrivingfamilies www.thrivingfamilies.org.uk

Thank you,

NDAS Programme Board