Making a Referral

Referrals

The Autism service only accept referrals through our electronic referral system One Portal.

 

If you are a professional who wishes to refer a child for an Autism assessment:

Online referral form

Please use the same electronic form if referring for ADHD, Autism or for both conditions.

 

Support for referrers and families using One Portal:

One Portal Referrer and Family User Guide [pdf] 178KB

 

Current waiting times 

 

 

Criteria for referral to our service

The referral will be rejected if a child or young person does not meet all of the following criteria:

• Must be between 2 years 6 months and 15 years 364 days old (or up to 19 years old if attending a Special School).
• The child must not have a severe learning disability.
• There must be evidence that the child has had support (like Early Help or a school support plan) for at least 6 months or two school terms.
• The child must either:
  • Be registered with a Birmingham GP, or
  • Live in the Birmingham Local Authority area, even if they don’t have a GP.

 

 

Who can make a referral?

The following professionals can refer a child for an autism (ASD) assessment:

• Health Visitors, School Nurses, Community Paediatricians and Allied Health Professionals (from BCHC)
• GPs (family doctors)
• Social Care services
• Education staff, such as nursery workers, school staff, educational psychologists, and SENCOs (Special Educational Needs Coordinators)
• Mental health services, for example Forward Thinking Birmingham (CAMHS)
• Charities and Community Groups, such as Barnardo’s, Action for Children, and others

 

 

Consent is important

Before making a referral, you must get permission (consent) from:

• The parent or carer, or
• The young person themselves, if they are old enough and understand what it means to give consent.

 

 

What support is needed before a referral?

We ask for evidence that 6 months (or two school terms) of support before a child is referred to the pathway.

 
Schools and Nursery in Birmingham must follow a step-by-step (graduated) approach to support children:

1.  Support from the school, such as extra help in class.
2. Support with outside help, like advice from specialists.
3. Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA), for children with more complex needs.

Examples of support your child might get:

• Help from a teaching assistant
• Easier or adapted tasks
• Extra time to finish work
• Praise and encouragement
• Help with writing or organising work
• Speech and language therapy
• Mental health support
• Help from autism or SEND teams

 

If you're unsure if the support your child has had is enough, call the NDP Team:  0121 683 2395