Case Study: “This is Me” Pilot: Understanding Neurodevelopmental Strengths and Needs, Supported by Kent and Medway Mental Health Support Teams in Schools

Overview

A gap has been identified between health and education in how they understand and support neurodivergent children and young people (CYP). Reliance on diagnosis within traditional pathways often leads to delays and unmet needs. To address this, Kent and Medway Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) are working with schools, CYP and families to create earlier, needs-led (rather than diagnosis) support.

The This is Me tool—adapted from the Portsmouth Neurodiversity Profile (Solent NHS Trust & Portsmouth Parent Voice, 2020)—was piloted to provide a practical framework that bridges this gap. Over 80 parents and young people shaped the original model, and local experts by experience informed further refinement, including updated category names. The profile explores key areas of neurodiversity such as speech and language, social communication, energy, attention and impulsivity, emotional wellbeing, motor skills, sensory preferences, flexibility, and cognitive skills.

i-THRIVE in Action

Common Language: The initiative supports a common language across education, health and families bridging the gap between sectors.

Needs-Led: “This is Me” focusses on the exploration and identification of individual CYP’s needs, and that may be different at home and at school, rather than focussing on diagnosis.

Shared Decision Making: “This is Me” facilitates shared decision making as families, schools and CYP collaborate to co-create individually tailored plans.

Proactive Prevention and Promotion: This conceptual framework works proactively with neurodivergent CYP, families and schools, building on a strengths based model to enable a shared understanding and language to promote a supportive environment.

Outcome-informed: This initiative is underpinned by clear impact measures, including a 12-week collaborative review with next steps such as a review of current strategies and/or referral to the Autism Assessment Team.

Accessibility: Both the framework and the needs summary meeting formats promote accessibility as these are held in schools but can also be online if appropriate.

Reducing Stigma: This initiative promotes inclusivity, equity and reduced stigma by making mental health and neurodevelopmental support everyone’s business.

Feedback

One parent expressed previous frustration with being passed between service to service without any resolution or support for CYP stating “It was important to be part of a case study” as they “don’t want another parent to go through the same struggles” with support feeling “isolating as CYP masks at school”.

They expressed optimism for the This is Me process, hopeful it will aid in understanding CYP’s strengths and difficulties so that they can be better supported.

Conclusion and Next Steps

Schools reported that MHST involvement increased their understanding of CYPs’ needs and boosted staff confidence. They felt empowered to use a strengths-based, inclusive approach and there was an eagerness to foster curiosity and collaboration when supporting neurodivergent learners.

Allowing time for recommendations to be put into practice and reviewed was crucial for meeting CYP needs and achieving sustainable change.

Families valued being actively included in decision-making and appreciated the sense of agency it gave them.

The approach enables MHSTs to identify wellbeing needs earlier, improving accessibility to timely, evidence-based interventions and appropriate signposting.

Next steps include expanding the pilot to additional geographical areas within Kent & Medway, embedding the tool in MHST consultations with schools, and continuing to train staff in the other geographical areas in Kent & Medway This is Me is expanding to.