Proudly providing NHS servicesNHS ADHD Assessments for Children
Navigating the pathway to support can be complex. At Paloma Health, we provide the expert, NICE-compliant ADHD assessments your family needs to unlock the right support. As an NHS-commissioned service, any NHS GP in England can refer your child to us.
who is this for
Who can be assessed by Paloma Health?
This page is for parents and carers who suspect their child may have ADHD and would like an NHS ADHD assessment without a long local wait. You can check if your child is eligible for an assessment here.
Children from their 8th birthday
We assess children for ADHD from their 8th birthday up to their 18th birthday.
Registered with an NHS GP in England
Paloma Health is only available in England, and only NHS GPs in England can refer into our service. There is no cost to your family.
Traits you are seeing at home or school
If focus, restlessness or impulsivity are affecting your child's daily life across more than one setting, that is a good reason to speak to your GP. See what to look out for ↓
what to expect
How does an ADHD assessment for children work?
If you suspect your child might have ADHD, we understand how emotional and overwhelming this time can be. Here's what you can expect during the assessment.
1. Online questionnaires
Once your child has been referred to our service by your GP, we will ask you to complete some forms to provide our assessors with background information.
2. During the assessment
Our assessments follow NICE guidelines and are carried out by a qualified assessor. The assessment includes a parent and young person interview, where assessors will ask you and your child about their symptoms, school-life, and anything that is impacting them.
3. After the assessment
Once the assessment is complete, we'll book an outcome feedback session where a clinician will explain the outcome of your child's assessment. You'll also receive a report outlining the full diagnostic decision and recommendations. We will share this report with you and your GP, ensuring continuity of care and next steps.
talking to your gp
How to request a Right to Choose referral?
Right to Choose is a legal right set out in the NHS Constitution. It means you can choose which NHS-approved provider carries out your first appointment with a specialist team.
Check your child is eligible
Use our eligibility checker to confirm you can be referred to us under Right to Choose.
Speak to your GP
Book a GP appointment and ask to be referred to Paloma Health under Right to Choose. Our GP letter explains everything they need.
Your GP refers your child
Your GP completes our referral form. We'll confirm we've received it and let you know what happens next.
Your assessment
We'll book your assessment, keep you informed at each stage and send you and your GP a clear, easy-to-read report.
Not sure what to say to your GP? Get our free referral guide
We've created a step-by-step referral guide to help you prepare for your GP appointment. It explains what to bring and what to ask for.
It also includes a letter template you can download and edit. Send it to your GP practice to request an assessment referral to Paloma Health under the NHS Right to Choose pathway.
Meet the team
Led by Clinical Experts
You may have been waiting a long time for an assessment, and it's normal if you feel nervous about this important moment. Our assessors are experienced clinical psychologists, social workers and speech and language therapists. Scroll to meet them.
Maria
Senior Assessor
Nichola
Senior Assessor
Shona
Senior Assessor
Dr Rachel Sarr
Specialist Assessor
Dr Hannah Brown
Specialist Assessor
Dr Shweta Sardesai
Consultant Paediatrician
Accredited and regulated
what to look out for
What is ADHD?
ADHD is a lifelong difference in how the brain works. It is not caused by parenting, and it is not something a child grows out of. What follows is a plain description of what it can look like in childhood.
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How ADHD can present
ADHD affects attention, activity levels and impulse control. It is not only the visibly restless child. Many children, particularly girls, present as inattentive and quietly overwhelmed rather than disruptive.
What parents often notice
Why ADHD is missed
Traits have to affect daily life across more than one setting to point to ADHD. A child who copes at school and struggles at home, or the reverse, is often told there is nothing to look at.
Worth writing down before your GP appointment
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ADHD and autism together
Some traits belong to both, and can be read either way depending on who is looking. This is why families are often told to pick one condition, then find themselves back at the start.
Traits that can point either way
This is general information to help you decide whether to speak to your GP. It is not a diagnosis, and no list of traits can replace an assessment by a qualified clinician.
frequently asked questions
Have a question about ADHD assessments?
You can find answers below to some of the questions we get asked the most. If you can't find what you're looking for, you can find more on our FAQs page.
Who can refer my child for an ADHD assessment?
Any NHS GP in England can refer your child to us under NHS Right to Choose. Your GP is the only person who can make this referral, and schools cannot refer to NHS Right to Choose services.
From what age do you assess children for ADHD?
We assess children for ADHD from their 8th birthday up to their 18th birthday.
How long is the wait time for an ADHD assessment?
Our remote pathway provides first appointments approximately 9 weeks after NHS GP referral. We book children in order based on the date of GP referral, and some NHS Integrated Care Boards have imposed a 14 week minimum wait from referral to first appointment. We cannot book the assessment appointment until parent and school questionnaires are returned.
Is there any cost to my family?
No. As an official NHS Right to Choose provider, our assessments come at no cost to your family.
Will my child's school be involved?
Yes. School questionnaires are part of the assessment and must be received before we can book the assessment appointment. Teacher feedback and SENCO notes are also useful to bring to your GP appointment.
Who makes the diagnostic decision?
The assessment is carried out by a qualified assessor, then reviewed by our Multidisciplinary Team (MDT), where an expert clinician collaborates on the final diagnostic decision.
What happens if a diagnosis is not given?
You still receive a full outcome report. It explains what we found, what it means, and what support we recommend, whether or not a diagnosis is given for either condition.
What if my child needs ADHD medication?
If your child needs medication for ADHD, they will move into our ADHD prescribing pathway for further assessment and treatment if appropriate. This is led by specialist prescribers, and we share any ongoing treatment plan with your GP.
Will the report be accepted by our school?
Yes. Our reports are recognised and accepted by schools, local authorities and other NHS services, and we share the report securely with you and your GP.
Trustpilot reviews
Expertise you can trust, care you can feel
Choosing the right provider brings peace of mind. With a 4.9/5 rating on both Google and Trustpilot, Paloma Health is proud to be one of the highest-rated NHS Right to Choose autism and ADHD services in the country, dedicated to providing a warm and thorough experience for every family.
Excellent — 4.9/5
