Who are we:
The specialist nurses for children and young people with autism and suspected autism, covering the county of Lincolnshire. We are a qualified team of 2 nurses fulfilling one whole time equivalent post, adhering to professional standards and codes of ethics to provide evidence-based support to professionals working with the families/carers of autistic children and young people.
What we do:
The service provides specialist advice and support to all professionals involved in the care of children and young people aged 0 to 16 (or up to the 19th birthday for young person with severe learning disability attending specialist school) who are living within the Lincolnshire geographical boundaries with a diagnosis of autism, and those children and young people awaiting assessment for autism. The service does not hold a caseload.
Children living beyond the geographical boundary who are registered with a Lincolnshire GP will also be eligible for the service.
How to make a referral:
We consider referrals from any professional working with families who meet our service criteria. We do not accept direct referrals from families.
A referral form must be completed and either sent to the team inbox on SystmOne or returned to the team email ([email protected]).
NB: Universal services should be accessed prior to referral to this service. An advisory list is recorded on the referral form.
Inclusion Criteria
- To align with the community paediatric team multi-disciplinary autism spectrum disorder assessment pathway, the service considers referrals for children and young people aged 0 to16 (or up to the 19th birthday for young person with severe learning disability attending specialist school).
Referrals may include
- Children and young people with a diagnosis of autism.
- Children and young people with suspected autism who have had a referral to the community paediatric team for assessment for autism accepted.
Exclusion Criteria
- Children/young people without ongoing support and involvement with another professional e.g. health visitor, SENDCo.
* Referrals must come from professionals involved with the family who will be continuing involvement for a minimum of 6 weeks following visit/parent group to support the family with implementing suggested strategies.
- Children and young people without a diagnosis of autism or who are not on the community paediatric team waiting list for initial appointment or assessment (referrals to community paediatric team which have not been accepted will not be considered for specialist nurse support).
Please note the service is unable to offer assessments.
How we work:
Accepted referrals will be offered a one-off parent group via Eventbrite/teams. Referring professionals are invited to join the parent group.
Triage process:
Referrals will be assessed for high risk ‘red flags’ and, in addition to parent group, these referrals will receive appropriate signposting.
Red flags will include any referral where there is a safeguarding risk to the child/young person or other people.
Contact Details
Specialist nurses for Children and Young People with Autism/Suspected Autism
Lincolnshire Community and Hospitals NHS Group
Children’s Community Team
St Francis School, Wickenby Crescent, Lincoln, LN1 3TJ
Telephone: 01522 309678/309679
Email: [email protected]
Please note our working days are Monday to Thursday