This is me

This Is Me is a pilot project to support children and young people with neurodivergence, without requiring a formal diagnosis first.  The aim is to offer early guidance, resources, advice, and practical strategies to help families and schools meet a child’s needs as early as possible.

Schools work with parents to complete a Needs Summary, which outlines the child’s strengths and areas of need.  If further support is needed, a bespoke package may be provided by the Neurodiversity Community Team, including one-to-one sessions, group work, and parental guidance.

Originally piloted in Kent, the project is now expanding to work with Medway schools and support Medway families.

KCHFT This is Me video

This Is Me is supports children who do not have a diagnosis or are on a waiting list for a diagnostic assessment who are experiencing challenges which could be explained by neurodivergence.

Neurodivergence is the term for when someone’s brain processes, learns, and/or behaves differently from what is considered “typical”.  Some neurodivergent conditions include:

• Dyslexia
• Dyspraxia (also called Developmental Coordination Disorder, or DCD)
• Dyscalculia
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)

Only children attending schools signed up to the pilot will be able to access this support currently.  This is because these schools will receive specific training on using the This is Me Needs Summary tool.  If appropriate, the school can then refer to the This is Me team.

Referrals from other professionals, GPs, parents, or schools who are not signed up will not be eligible due to the requirement of completing the needs summary first and the training required.

If you are unsure about whether your child’s school is part of the pilot, please speak to the school SENCo.

• Horsted School
• St Margaret’s Infant School
• St Margaret’s CofE Junior School
• Twydall Primary School
• Hilltop Primary
• Hoo St Werburgh Primary School
• All Faiths Children’s Academy
• Bligh Primary
• Cliffe Woods Primary School
• Fairview Primary School
• Leigh Academy High Halstow
• Luton Primary school
• Phoenix Primary
• Academy of Woodlands
• Walderslade Primary School

The Needs Summary tool is used by trained school staff to understand a child’s strengths and needs.  It helps guide discussions with parents, identify support strategies, and inform referrals.

Only staff who have completed official training should complete this tool.

This Is Me: Needs Summary

Trained school staff will complete a needs summary and then direct parents to local services and resources to be engaged with for 6 to 12 weeks. After the 12 weeks, school can review if further support is needed, at which point a referral can be made to the Neurodiversity Community Team. We will then deliver a bespoke package of care.

Complete our referral form