Community Paediatrics Age 6-10
CAMHS Single Point of Access Age 11-18
There are many reasons why a child may have difficulties with attention, this however doesn’t mean that they have an Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). We have listed the most common factors that impact attention and hyperactivity that we see within referrals to our service. We ask that these difficulties are explored and understood first before an ADHD assessment is requested. This is important as it means we can understand the broader areas that may be impacting a child’s difficulties.
A Graduated Response must be followed within education and identified needs must be supported first before any further assessment can be accepted. Further information regarding a graduated response can be found on the Staffordshire County Council website.
This follows the NICE Guidance Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Diagnosis and Management (2019)
Learning Difficulties
Learning and processing difficulties have significant impacts on attention and often cause restless behaviours.
Speak to your child’s school, who will be able to follow a graduated response.
Speech & Language Difficulties
Including difficulties with expressing themselves along with difficulties understanding language.
Further information is available on the Speech & Language Therapy Service webpages.
Physical disability or motor coordination difficulties
Including difficulties with handwriting, coordination, balance.
Further information is available on the Children’s Occupational Therapy webpages.
Family Support
Family and relationship difficulties, parenting, understanding behaviour.
Both the Family Support Services and Family Practitioner Service will be able to support you - please see the leaflet ‘getting help services’ for further details.
Emotional & Mental Health
This may range from emotional concerns to more concerning mental health needs.
There are a range of emotional and mental health services in our area - please see the leaflet ‘getting help services’ for further details.
Within MPFT Children’s Services, we are seeing an increase in the number of ADHD assessment requests.
We aim to ensure we are assessing the right children and young people at the right time.
In order to do this, we have made improvements to our referral process for these requests. This leaflet aims to help your understanding of how we review assessment requests, and the exploration of needs prior to assessment that is required.
Making a referral
Referral forms are available on our websites which you will find below:
Children aged 6-10 - referrals are made to Community Paediatrics
Children aged 11-18 - referrals are made to CAMHS SPA
Please note: we are currently working on improving the referral process to have one referral form across both of our services. Any updates will be available on our websites.
FAQs
Who can make a referral?
We recommend that the professional who knows the child the best completes the referral form together with their parent/carers.
Why do you not recommend we see our GP for the referral?
The level of information we require is unlikely to be known by your GP. We would recommend that you see your GP if you wanted to discuss your child’s difficulties to ensure their needs are being assessed by the appropriate services.
My child is home schooled, how to I access a referral?
We recommend that you complete the form as parent/carers and include feedback from any tutors that may support your child’s learning.
My child has a private diagnosis, how do we access support?
A private diagnosis will need a thorough review by our clinical team to ensure this is compliant with NICE guidelines. Referrals will need to be made in the same way through using the referral form.
School don’t see my child’s difficulties in the same why I do, how do we go about accessing support?
We recognise that children present differently in different settings, this is why we advise you work with school to complete the referral to ensure it reflects both of your observations of your child.
My child is under age 6, why can they not be referred for an ADHD assessment?
We would ask that a child below this age have their needs supported such as through the recommendations in this leaflet.