This document will guide you through the support offers available to Oldham families on the following assessment pathways:

• Community Paediatric Service

• Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)

• Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN)

Support is available through a range of different organisations, including those in the voluntary sector. We have included links to specific Padlets that have been co-produced by Oldham’s SEND Partners. These cover Neurodiverse Conditions, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, and Educational Transitions.

Please note that the information informing this document will be regularly reviewed.  Latest Update October 2025

Referrals to this service are for children under the age of 8 who are on a diagnostic assessment pathway for Autism and/or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

We have included “What to Expect” information provided by the service to help families understand what the assessment involves, along with links to community services that can offer information, advice, and support while waiting. Simply scan the QR code or click on the link attached to each assessment pathway noticeboard to download documents.

ASC_pathway_guide_for_parents__amended_Oct23_updated_QR_codes.pdf

ADHD_pathway_guide_for_parents_updated_17.6.24_New_QR_Codes.pdf

Referrals to this service are for children and young people aged 8 and over, or 5 and over where there is a mental health condition.

 We offer specialist support for those experiencing mental health and emotional wellbeing difficulties, and/or those young people who are on a diagnostic assessment pathway for Autism and/or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Please note that all referrals to CAMHS are handled through a navigation support service within Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH).

We have included a link to this below.

Speech Language and Communication Needs (SLCN)

Oldham_MHST_information.pdf

MHST_Oldham_Interventions_guide.pdf

POINT offer a range of workshops as follows:

Social Communication Pathway - this is for families who have a child/young person who has been accepted onto an assessment pathway, regardless of the outcome. This assessment may be undertaken by Community Paediatric Services, CAMHS or Speech and Language.

Post Diagnosis Workshops - These workshops are designed for parents/carers who have a child/young person recently diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Riding the Rapids - is a 10 week programme to help parents develop strategies to support their autistic child and young person, children and young people with significant Learning Disabilities, and those on the pathway for Autism assessment.

This course aims to support parents/carers understanding of their child/young person, reduce distress, support parents/carers to make environmental changes, and support parents/carers and children and young people's emotional wellbeing. Parents/carers gain skills to take on their journey with them, and the quality of life for the family should be improved after completing this course.

The full role out of the service will commence Monday 16th March 2026.

Riding The Rapids is a 10 week programme to help parents develop strategies to support their autistic child and young person, children and young people with significant Learning Disabilities, and those on the pathway for Autism assessment.

POINT and CAMHS are co-delivering the workshops during the autumn term 25-26

POINT and Neurodiversity Navigators together with partners from the Mental Health Support Team will be co-delivering workshops during the spring term 25-26.

This course aims to support parents/carers understanding of their child/young person, reduce distress, support parents/carers to make environmental changes, and support parents/carers and children and young people's emotional wellbeing. Parents/carers gain skills to take on their journey with them, and the quality of life for the family should be improved after completing this course.

To find out more, please contact the workshops and training service: SEND Workshops & Training – POINT

Home - Qwell

Home - Kooth

You can search a range of activities, information, advice and support opportunities so why not take a look and REMEMBER if you can’t find what you are looking for, use the feedback link on the website as it is always being reviewed to ensure Oldham families have access to appropriate services for children and young people with SEND.

Please check back regularly, as we frequently review and update the information.