Neurodiversity and emotional wellbeing service pilot
Cumberland Council, in partnership with local NHS services, has launched a new Neurodiversity and Emotional Wellbeing Service.
The service is being piloted for 12 months from November 2025 in the Cumberland and Eden areas. It was developed with support from SENDAC, the statutory parent and carer forum for Cumbria.
For children and young people living in Eden, signposting to follow-up support in the Westmorland and Furness area will be provided to ensure access to the most appropriate local services.
What the service offers
The service focuses on early intervention and prevention, offering support as soon as needs are noticed. It provides advice and guidance to families with children who have needs related to neurodivergence or emotional wellbeing.
It supports:
- children aged 0 to 19 years
- young people up to age 25 with a diagnosed special educational need or disability
The team includes:
- 2 social prescribers
- 5 support workers
- a health and wellbeing coach
- 3 emotional resilience nurses
- a clinical psychologist
- an assistant psychologist
Key terms explained
Neurodivergent describes people whose brains work in different ways. This can affect communication, learning, attention, movement, or how someone processes sounds, lights, and other senses.
It can include people who are autistic or have ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, Tourette’s, or similar conditions. A person does not need a specific diagnoses to be considered neurodivergent.
Neurodivergence is a general term for these differences. People without these differences are often called neurotypical.
Emotional wellbeing describes a person's emotional health and how this influences daily life, such as managing relationships and handling emotions. For children, positive emotional wellbeing often means enjoying school and hobbies, forming friendships, and managing age-appropriate tasks. What feels positive for one child may look very different for another.
How families can access support
The service provides:
- a Neurodiversity and Emotional Wellbeing section on the website with information, advice, and strategies for families
- a single point of contact for parents, carers, young people, and professionals to get advice and support
- a new strength and needs assessment to help plan the right support for each child or young person
The team can also be contacted via email NDandEW@cumberland.gov.uk
Looking ahead
The service will continue to develop during the pilot. The team appreciates the patience and cooperation of families in Cumberland.