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Sarah Murphy MS, Minister for Mental Health and Early Years

First published:
3 February 2025
Last updated:

Today, I am announcing a further investment of £13.7m to continue the transformation of neurodivergence services for adults and children in Wales and to reduce waiting times for assessments.

The funding will extend the work of the National Neurodivergence Improvement Programme and support for the National Neurodivergence Team, to work with the NHS to drive improvement across Wales for a further two years to March 2027.  

This builds on the £12m invested in this work to date over the last three years to March 2025 and the £3m targeted to reducing the longest waiting times for children’s neurodevelopmental assessments in November 2024.

As awareness of neurodivergence has grown, demand for assessment and support services has grown rapidly, exceeding capacity to respond. 

The Neurodivergence Improvement Programme has played a leading role in the development and delivery of sustainable and integrated services. It has also tested new ways of working, shared good practice across Wales, extended workforce training, piloted digital screening tools, improved data collection and forged strong relationships between organisations to promote collaborative working.  

One example is the Cardiff and Vale Community Connector project, which provides parents and carers of children up to the age of 11 with information about their waiting list journey and directs them to local services, which can be accessed without a formal diagnosis. It offers connection sessions, drop-ins, and workshops on topics suggested by parents. Community Connectors raise awareness of needs-led approaches and act as links to other services. 

The Myth Busting project, run by the West Glamorgan Neurodiverse Board promotes a needs-led approach, focusing on individual strengths rather than diagnostic labels. This ensures schools provide essential support without waiting for a diagnosis. 'Time to Talk' sessions offer reassurance and support to parents and carers, while a social communication resource book and sensory boxes aid schools. Guidance is being developed for a pupil-centred approach, with best practices showcased through digital storytelling. A podcast series and an animated video provide practical strategies for educators and parents. The project is making a lasting impact by equipping schools with tools for an inclusive, strengths-based approach.

Neurodivergence funding has increased capacity in children's neurodevelopmental services and the Integrated Autism Service to help reduce long waiting lists. 

In November 2024, we held a two-day accelerated design event with the NHS Executive, bringing together 170 stakeholders to develop a national approach to children's neurodivergence services in Wales. This will inform the development of a new integrated service delivery model.

Our National Autism Team has been re-launched as the National Neurodivergence Team. We are evaluating the impact of the Statutory Code of Practice, with the first outcome report published in 2024. An updated code of practice to be completed by March 2026.

To ensure our investments make a difference, we are developing new outcome measures, which will initially focus on children's services. This data will provide a comprehensive view of service improvements and outcomes, including user experiences, to identify areas for future focus.

I will keep Members updated as our work to improve services progresses.