Improving Mental Health Access for Neurodiverse Children & Young People

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In 2025, the Cheshire & Merseyside ND Programme held a consultation looking at the experiences of neurodiverse children, young people and families when accessing mental health support. While we have made great strides improving access, the findings highlighted that many neurodiverse CYP are still facing significant barriers when seeking mental health care.

In this half-day event, we invite CYP, families, providers and commissioners to discuss the findings in depth and develop a plan for change together. The agenda will include:

• Lived experience of navigating the mental healthcare system from parents and young people.
• Examples of good practice locally and beyond to support shared learning.
• A workshop session to develop best practices for reasonable adjustments, adapted interventions, provider training and early support.
• Co-creation of a roadmap to put best practices into action.

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Key Information

Venue: Lecture Theatre 2 (Will Watterson Room), Institute in the Park, Alder Hey, Eaton Road, Liverpool, L12 2AP

Start time: Registration begins at 9.30am for a 9.55am start.

Refreshments: Tea and coffee will be served on arrival and during the mid-morning comfort break. Lunch is not provided, but there are several options within the Institute and on the hospital campus.

Parking: Guests are invited to use the paid onsite multistorey car park (free for blue badge holders), but please note that this can be very busy in the morning. Information and charges can be found here: Getting here and car parking - Alder Hey Children's Hospital Trust

Alternatively, guests can use the Sainsbury's car park on East Prescot Road, a few minutes' walk from the main entrance. All-day parking is available via Just Park for £4.19. Sainsbury's East Prescot Road Car Park

Info: A discussion on the findings from the ND Programme survey "Barriers and Needs for Mental Health Interventions for Neurodiverse Children and Young People" and the Transforming Care Partnership survey "Early Mental Health Support."

Info: Young people and parents share their experiences of accessing and navigating mental health support.

Info: Colleagues from Greater Manchester and Alder Hey CAMHS discuss successful local initiatives to improve mental health access for ND children and young people.

Info: How mental health teams can ensure assessments flow seamlessly into ND pathways and children and young people only have to tell their story once.

Info: The group will break into four teams to identify best practices for reasonable adjustments, adapted interventions, provider training and early support.

Info: Providers and commissioners will work with other stakeholders to reflect on recommendations, commit to next steps, and develop an implementation roadmap.

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