Referral questions made explicit
Information for GPs, psychologists, education settings, employers, solicitors and other professionals considering a referral or requesting a report.
State the decision the assessment needs to inform
Clear referral questions reduce unnecessary testing and help determine whether the practice, modality and report type are appropriate.
Clinical question
What is being observed, for how long, in which settings and what alternative explanations have already been considered?
Intended use
Is the report for personal understanding, treatment planning, education, employment, legal proceedings or another defined purpose?
Required evidence
Are there formal criteria, multidisciplinary requirements, specified tests, deadlines or an organisation that must accept the report?
Initial referral information
- Client age, location and consent to contact
- Specific referral question and urgency
- Relevant developmental, health and education context
- Current risk or safeguarding concerns
- Purpose and proposed recipient of the report
- Any required deadline or formal standard
Do not send a full clinical record until the relevance and secure method have been agreed.
Before sending documentation
Can a professional send records securely?
Please make contact first. The practice will confirm what is relevant and provide an appropriate method; sensitive records should not be attached to an initial website enquiry.
Are reports guaranteed to be accepted by employers, schools or other clinicians?
No provider should guarantee universal acceptance. Requirements vary. The intended recipient and purpose should be clarified before assessment.
Can the practice prescribe ADHD medication?
No. Medication assessment and prescribing require an appropriately qualified medical prescriber.
Can urgent risk referrals be accepted?
The website enquiry route is not an emergency pathway. Immediate risk should be directed to local emergency, GP or crisis services.
Services are not limited to adult assessment
Enquiries are welcomed from adults, parents and carers. Accepted pathways may include child or young-person ADHD/autism assessment, specialised neurodevelopmental therapy and parent consultation, subject to suitability, consent, safeguarding and scope.
Children and families information