Children to get support sooner without waiting for a diagnosis
Date added: 21 October 2026
Last updated: 21 October 2026
Children and young people across Kent and Medway will be able to get more help with their needs while they are waiting for an autism, ADHD or other neurodevelopmental assessment, under a new approach being developed by health, education and council services.
Instead of support being focused around diagnosis, services will increasingly look at what a child needs and what can be done to help them now. Schools will play a bigger role, with health, education and council teams sharing expertise, training and resources so that children can be supported earlier and more consistently.
The Children and Young People’s Neurodevelopmental Transformation Steering Group was established almost 3 years ago to address differences in the support available across Kent and Medway. Since then, partners have worked together to develop a shared approach, strengthen support in schools and give families a greater say in how services are shaped. Parent and carer forums have played an important role in making sure families’ experiences help inform decisions.
The programme is co-led by Dr Annie Cardinal, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Deputy Director and Directorate Lead of Psychological Professions for Children’s and All-Age Eating Disorders Services at Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust, and Christine McInnes, Corporate Director for Children, Young People and Education at Kent County Council. Together, they are bringing health and education partners together to improve support for children and young people across Kent and Medway.
Dr Annie Cardinal said: “3 years ago, we realised that cutting waiting lists alone would not meet children’s needs. A diagnosis is important, but it is not the answer. What children and families need is timely, practical support, whether or not they are on a diagnostic pathway. By bringing health, education, local government and parent and carer forums together around a needs-led approach, we are starting to see real change.”
By working more closely, services aim to help children get the right support at the right time. This includes strengthening the help available through schools and sharing knowledge, training and resources so that support is more consistent across Kent and Medway.
Christine McInnes said: “Education and health have always wanted the same thing: better outcomes for children. The difference now is that we are working hand in hand, sharing resources, training and intelligence so that support begins early, in schools, and is consistent across Kent and Medway.”
The programme is now moving into its next stage, following changes to its leadership arrangements on 1 April 2026. Partners will build on progress made over the past three years, with a continued focus on making support more consistent and responsive to children’s needs.
George Matuska, Learning Disability Nurse, Learning Disability and Autism Clinical Lead at NHS Kent and Medway and Lead for Learning Disabilities and Autism at Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust, said: “This transformation group shows what is possible when the whole system aligns around children’s needs. Every partner is focused on delivering better, earlier and more equitable support for children and young people.”
Partners will continue working with schools, services and families to make this approach part of everyday practice across Kent and Medway. The aim is to help more children get support earlier, closer to home and in ways that work for them and their families.
