£7.6 million boost for neurodevelopmental support

£7.6m investment by Scottish Government to enhance neurodevelopmental support for children and families

Children, young people and their families are set to benefit from a £7.6 million Scottish Government investment aimed at strengthening and expanding local neurodevelopmental support services. Distributed through local councils, the funding will help provide more flexible, locally tailored support, ensuring families can access the right help at the right time.

The investment forms part of a wider programme of work involving the Scottish Government, COSLA and partners to improve neurodevelopmental support across health, education, local government and the third sector. It also builds on the work of the Children and Young People’s Neurodevelopment Taskforce and other ongoing efforts to improve services for young people and families.

Announcing the funding on a visit to Windygoul Primary School in East Lothian, Minister for Mental Wellbeing Maree Todd said:

“Demand for neurodevelopmental support has increased significantly in recent years and I want families to access the help they need, when they need it.

“This £7.6 million investment will help local areas build on existing services and further invest in the support that works for their communities.

“There is no single action that will solve all the challenges people face in getting timely and consistent support.  This investment is just one part of the wider work to improve neurodevelopmental support.

“Through our continued partnership with local government, health services and the third sector, we will ensure a more joined-up, sustainable system of support for neurodivergent children, young people and their families.”

Service Manager at Children in Scotland for Children’s Views and Resolve Mediation, Marie Harrison, was “delighted” with the announcement:

It has been a real privilege to be a part of the Neurodevelopmental Taskforce. There is a real commitment in the group to support children, families and professionals to overcome existing barriers to support and identification of neurodevelopmental needs. I was delighted to learn about this funding boost and I am hopeful it will do a lot of good across Scotland.

As the minister for wellbeing, Maree Todd has pointed out, this funding alone is not a magic bullet, but a part of a much bigger piece of work. I do think it will support local councils to strengthen existing supports and deliver on these in ways that work for their communities.

Scotland is a big and varied patchwork of different communities with different needs so support will look different depending on the area. There is still a lot to do but this feels like an important step on the way