Children and Young People's Neurodevelopment Support Fund 2026-2027: supporting guidance

What would improved children and young people’s outcomes look like?

Positive outcomes for children and young people as a result of this funding might include but are not limited to:

• Functional gains: goal-based outcomes; improvements in self-care, school engagement, and social participation.
• Emotional and sensory regulation: reduced distress and improved use of regulation strategies by CYP and those supporting them.
• Family and school feedback: Increased confidence and positive changes in routines and engagement.
• Participation-based outcomes: attendance, engagement, and wellbeing indicators.
• Identity and Inclusion: positive identity formation and reduced stigma.
• Connection: opportunities to meet and connect with other neurodivergent children and young people, parents and carers of such young people, where people can safely be their authentic self.

Wider outcomes from the funding may include but are not limited to:

• Workforce confidence: Competency and collaboration measures across agencies.
• Fewer mental health crises for neurodivergent CYP due to proactive neurodevelopmental support.
• Wider family experience metrics: trust, understanding, and inclusion.