Speech And Language Therapist, Clinical Specialist

Details of Service

The implementation of the Autism Assessment and Intervention Pathways protocol in the Regional Healthcare Areas will be supported by In-Reach Teams. In-reach teams are being introduced on a phased based. In Phase 1 In-reach teams x 11 will be introduced across the Health Regions in 2026. In Phase 2 a further 9 x teams are planned for 2027.

In Phase 1 of the implementation five of the six Regional Health Areas will receive 2 x In- Reach teams in 2026, and one Regional Health Area will receive 1 x In-Reach team.

This implementation plan of 1 x In-reach Team for every 2 x Community Healthcare Networks is based on the learnings from the prototype In-reach Team in t in Co Meath.

The initial focus of the In-Reach Team will to support service integration and the flow of client care for Children. Accordingly, the In-Reach Team will work in collaboration with Primary Care Children’s Services, Disability and CAMHS teams (core services) to support and/or undertake autism diagnostic assessments for children and adolescents, as appropriate to the local area service needs and configuration. This will broaden out to Adults as the teams are developed and embedded into integrated service design and delivery.

It is envisioned that the focus will be for children requiring an autism diagnostic assessment who have non-complex needs; and who cannot access a full diagnostic autism assessment in either CAMHS or Primary Care. Non-complex needs are defined by the National Policy on Access to Services for Children & Young People with Disability & Developmental Delay.

Existing referral pathways to core services will be maintained, acknowledging the move towards a single point of access (SPoA) in the regions. The In-Reach team will be engaged by the core service to complete/support a diagnostic autism assessment for open active cases, with the core service providing additional background information. There should be ongoing communication and collaboration between the core service and the In-Reach Team as the assessment is being conducted. The outcome of the assessment findings should be collectively and collaboratively agreed and shared.

The In-Reach Team may also support existing teams with a focus on enhancing their capacity in undertaking assessments. The goal is to make sure that children and adolescents get the right care, at the right time, no matter where they live. These teams support the provision of services that are consistent, equitable and based on relevant healthcare evidence.

Informal Enquiries

Catriona Hanmore

Interim A/ SLT Manager

Email: Catriona.hanmore@hse.ie

Tel: 087 1401369