The EIA is a project that Cambridgeshire SEND service and the Opportunity Area have been involved with alongside colleagues in Bradford, Nottingham, Oldham and Manchester University . Cambridgeshire were successful in obtaining a DFE grant to fund this work.
Cambridgeshire’s project focused on Girls with Autism and looked at early identification, referral routes and diagnosis pathways.
The project has now concluded but SEND services and Health are continuing to work with the other cross-country partners. They are currently delivering a pilot for a different diagnostic pathway. Some families will receive letters to be invited to the project and they are working through the waiting list as capacity allows. They hope that this will result in a faster and more comprehensive route for children and families. They are also using the remaining funding to support pre-diagnosis as they have heard from Pinpoint and SENDIASS that this is a concern for many parents. They will update when there are further news on the plans.