1. To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the First Minister's commitment in the programme for government 2023-24 to publish a new delivery plan for mental health and wellbeing, what it is doing to improve pathways to diagnosis for neurodivergent children. (S6O-02496)

Following publication of the mental health and wellbeing strategy in June 2023, we will publish a delivery plan later this autumn that will set out the steps that we will take to improve support for children with neurodevelopmental support needs.

As set out in the strategy, we are committed to working in partnership to strengthen support and care pathways for people who require neurodevelopmental support. To do that, we will build on work to implement the neurodevelopmental specification for children and young people, including five tests of change across Scotland, working closely with partners to share learning and improve services and support.

I have had personal experience and received constituent feedback often highlighting gatekeeping at what should be access points to a diagnostic pathway. How is the Scottish Government ensuring unimpeded access to and support for neurodivergent individuals at key points, such as education and community health, so that they can uphold their dignity and prevent additional mental health issues?

It is important for me to say in response that a diagnosis is not required for children and young people to receive support. The neurodevelopmental specification makes it clear that support should be in place to meet the child or young person’s requirements at the earliest opportunity rather than being dependent on a formal diagnosis. For many children and young people, such support is likely to be community-based and it should be quickly and easily accessible.

We will continue to work with key partners from local authorities, education and health to implement the neurodevelopmental specification right across Scotland.

The Lowit unit in the Royal Aberdeen children’s hospital provided day care and out-patient support to children and young people with autism spectrum disorders, but it closed almost a decade ago. Families in the north-east are crying out for dedicated post-diagnostic support such as that given by the Lowit unit. What action is Scottish Government taking with health boards and local authorities to ensure that such support is in place?

The member will be aware that, when we approach this issue, we aim to help children and families to access support and services that meet their needs using the getting it right for every child—GIRFEC—approach. For many children and young people, such support is likely to be community-based and it should be quickly and easily accessible. There are a number of different models around the country, and, as I said, we are exploring five tests of change around the country. At the end of October—I think—we will come together to share the learning from those tests of change and to make sure that we can implement and roll them out all over the country.