(Assistant Practitioner) from Cheshire's ADHD & Autism Team, presenting.
A recap blog from our rapid improvement workshop in June
If you’re a parent or carer of a young person with possible autism or ADHD, you’ve faced long waits and a lot of frustration. You’re not alone. For many families across Cheshire East and West, getting support can be confusing and challenging.
But things are changing.
At Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP), we’ve taken a fresh look at how young people and families experience the autism and ADHD journey. We recently held a rapid improvement workshop, bringing together professionals, parents, and carers to help shape a clearer, kinder, and supportive process.
Why Things Had to Change
We heard loud and clear from families that the current system can feel overwhelming:
• “We don’t know how long we have to wait.”
• “No one updates us.”
• “The forms are confusing.”
• “We just want to help our child.”
We knew we had to think differently and hear your voice.
So, we worked together to really understand what families go through. We used an example journey of a fictional young person called Archie to explore the challenges and highlight where support often falls short.
In the past, Archie might have waited a long time just to start an assessment or receive any type of support. That kind of delay causes real distress—not just for the young person, but for the whole family.
What Will Be Different?
We’re redesigning the pathway to make sure young people and families get early, meaningful support—without having to wait for a formal diagnosis. This aligns with the “This is Me – Cheshire and Merseyside” approach, which is transforming how help is accessed.
Key improvements include:
• Referrals being reviewed sooner.
• Review of the assessment process.
• Families receiving clear guidance and regular updates.
• Information and forms that are easy to use and understand.
• Support being available from the moment a need is identified, not just after diagnosis.
A New and Better Journey
Here’s what we’re working toward for a young person like Archie:
1. A teacher and parent notice some differences in how Archie learns and communicates—they send in a referral.
2. The referral is reviewed quickly, and Archie’s family receives an email with next steps and helpful resources.
3. Pre-assessment support begins. Parents can access videos, podcasts, and local services.
4. While Archie waits for assessment, his family gets ongoing updates and access to local support networks—this is the heart of the “This is Me” approach, which focuses on getting the right support at the right time, with or without a diagnosis.
No more uncertainty. No more silence. Just clear, kind, consistent support.
Here’s What We’re Doing Next
We’re committed to continuous improvement, including:
• Simplifying forms so parents can focus on what matters most.
• Training staff to write clearer reports and communicate more effectively.
• Providing regular updates, including real-time waitlist information.
• Working with schools and community partners to offer support earlier.
We’re embedding the feedback from the rapid improvement workshop into daily work—and reviewing progress regularly with senior leaders.
We Know There’s Still Work to Do
This is just the beginning. We’re committed to listening, learning, and building a system that works.
If you’re a parent or carer, we want your voice to be heard. Please reach out to your local Parent Carer Forum to get involved and help shape what comes next.
We’ll continue to share updates and progress right here on the MyMind website—so please check back regularly.
Together, we’re building a better journey.
Kind Regards,
Robbie Wade-Owen
Deputy Head of Clinical Services
Cheshire CYPF (Cheshire, Young People, and Families) Care Group
