The organisation has been awarded a place on the National NHS Framework Agreement for the Provision of Autism and ADHD Assessment Services, managed by the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

The framework allows NHS trusts and integrated care boards to commission additional assessment services from approved providers, helping to expand capacity and support existing NHS services.

Addressing growing demand for assessments

Long waiting times for autism and ADHD assessments remain a significant challenge for children, young people and their families.

For many families, delays can create uncertainty and make it more difficult to understand a child's needs or access appropriate adjustments and support.

Through the framework, Momenta Connect will be able to work alongside NHS organisations and local services to provide additional, clinically governed assessment capacity where it is needed.

Jennifer Abbott, Operations Director at Momenta Connect, said:

"For families, waiting for an autism or ADHD assessment can be a long and uncertain period without the support they need. It can delay a clearer understanding of a child's needs and make it more difficult to identify the support or adjustments that may help them at home, in education and in everyday life."

Supporting children before and after diagnosis

While increasing assessment capacity could help reduce waiting times, it is equally important that children and young people receive appropriate support regardless of whether they have a formal diagnosis.

Jennifer Abbott added:

"Being awarded a place on this national NHS framework means Momenta Connect can work alongside NHS organisations to provide additional capacity to reduce waiting times for autism and ADHD assessments for children and young people. We hope this will help more families receive timely answers, while recognising that appropriate, need-led support should be available before, during and after the assessment process."

This emphasis on needs-led support is particularly relevant to the SEND community, where families and education professionals continue to advocate for earlier intervention and support based on individual needs rather than diagnostic status alone.

Working alongside existing NHS services

Momenta Connect's inclusion on the framework means NHS commissioners can access its services through an established procurement process.

Any future commissioned services would be developed in collaboration with local NHS organisations, considering existing referral pathways, assessment capacity, clinical requirements and the needs of the local population.

Although inclusion on the framework does not automatically mean additional assessments will become available in every area, it provides another route for NHS organisations seeking to expand their services.

For children and young people awaiting assessments, increased capacity could be an important step towards more timely access to diagnosis and appropriate support.

Find out more: Visit Momenta Connect for further information about its services.