Update on the Social Communication Difficulties Service (including Autism) in Wandsworth
What we did
In the summer of 2024, we heard of the NHS South West London Integrated Care Board’s (ICB) plan to redesign the Emerging Needs Pathway (the autism diagnostic pathway for 0-8 year olds in Wandsworth).
As a result, we decided to create a project focused on the experiences of parents/carers with 0-8 year old children on the current Emerging Needs Pathway in Wandsworth so that their experiences could shape the new redesigned pathway.
We published our report in July 2025, which you can read here.
NHS South West London ICB & St George’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust both acknowledged our report and our recommendations to ensure that the new pathway is clear and provides the appropriate support for their families. While the NHS is responsible for diagnosis for children, most pre and post diagnostic support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) including autism is provided by Wandsworth Council Services.
On the 1st of September 2025 the new pathway went live and we wanted to share some updates we have received from St George's NHS Trust and Wandsworth Council.
Information about the new Social Communication Difficulties Service (SCD)
Does a child referred already need to be re- referred?
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The ICB and St George’s have contacted families already to update them on waiting list status.
- The names of the children referred to the ENP pathway previously (managed by the Local Authority) have been handed over to the ICB. This list will be reviewed to verify it, such as remove duplicate names, children who had assessments or those who have moved away and contact families. The ICB will work with providers to ensure the remainder of the children are reviewed and/or assessed as appropriate.
- But if you are worried about a referral, please re-refer and state that the child has been referred before. Every child that needs to be considered must be considered!
- The ICB is working with providers to review the waiting list and plan for their assessments. These children will have the same quality of assessment as newly referred children.
- The waiting list is currently over 4 years long, but over £700k of extra investment annually has gone into the new diagnostic pathway and waiting list reduction work at SWLSTG Mental Health Trust, increasing capacity. So, the waiting list time will hopefully come down slowly over the next four years.
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Please bear with us, the transition of the waiting lists is happening slowly.
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There is a process though in place to deal with the referrals appropriately.
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We might need to complete this process before we can accurately say when a child will be seen.
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St George's have created a dedicated web page for the service which includes both an telephone contact number and email as well as answers to FAQ's, relevant forms, and more detailed information about the new service.
Can my son/daughter access support and treatment now?
YES, don’t delay!
- In most cases public services have moved to a ‘needs basis’, rather than requiring a diagnosis. Wandsworth Autism Advisory Service (WAAS) is providing information workshops for all parents/carers on a range of support topics https://fis.wandsworth.gov.uk/kb5/wandsworth/fsd/advice.page?id=LwKPJyRIytQ
- Additionally, your son/daughters’ nursery can get specialist advice and support around their needs from the SEND Inclusion Team https://fis.wandsworth.gov.uk/kb5/wandsworth/fsd/service.page?id=RU_u1PF8rCw
- The new Family Hubs are also providing support for families, see information on www.fis.wandsworth.gov.uk
Looking forward
As the new pathway comes into full effect we will work with parents/carers of children on the pathway to understand if and how their experiences of the pathway are changing. We will communicate this feedback to the ICB and St George’s and provide any important updates to all relevant stakeholders when we receive them.
