New Profiling Tool to help identify children and young people with neuro-developmental needs

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A new tool to support a child or young person showing signs of neuro-developmental needs is being launched in Portsmouth, following a successful trial with 50 families between March 2021 to April 2022.

The Neurodiversity (ND) Profiling Tool is the first step in identifying neurodiversity within children and young people aged 0-19. It assesses nine developmental strands of a child or young person and suggests types of strategies that can be put in place to help manage those needs in different areas of life – such as at home, at their Early Years setting, school or college, and in the community. The process of completing the profile is done jointly with a trained professional alongside the child or young person, if appropriate, and their family.

From 1 July 2022, the ND Profiling Tool will replace the current referral process to request a ND clinical assessment. Instead, trained professionals will be required to complete the ND Profiling Tool in the first instance. This will mean no long waits for a full ND assessment (currently at 18+months) and children and young people will be provided with strategies to help them manage their needs with the support of their family and education settings.

Anyone working with children and young people aged 0-19 and those who currently complete referrals for ND assessments (to either CAMHS or CMPS) will be required to complete the profiling training as soon as possible.

The ND Profiling Tool has been co-produced by Portsmouth City Council in partnership with Portsmouth Parent Voice, Dynamite and partners across education, health, social care, and early years. It is delivered through Health and Care Portsmouth.

If you would like to complete the training in order to support families in completing the Neurodiversity Profiling Tool, please send your full name and job title to [email protected] and you will receive the training details.

Below is a list of upcoming training session dates:

In person (one day sessions)

  • Friday 12 August 2022, 9.30am-4pm at Portsmouth Central Library (Menuhin Room)
  • Friday 26 August 2022, 9.30am-4pm at Portsmouth Central Library (HIVE Portsmouth shared space)

Portsmouth Parent Voice will provide refreshments at both events, but please bring your own lunch. The sessions are limited to 27 spaces each.

Online (via Zoom) – each online course consists of three two-hour sessions

  • Session 1 – Monday 12 September 2022, 1-3pm
  • Session 2 – Friday 23 September 2022, 1-3pm
  • Session 3 – Wednesday 28 September 2022, 1-3pm
  • Session 1 – Thursday 6 October 2022, 1-3pm
  • Session 2 – Tuesday 11 October 2022, 10am-12pm
  • Session 3 – Wednesday 19 October 2022, 1-3pm

Find out more about the Profiling Tool and the support it’s offering to children, young people and their families on the Portsmouth City Council website.