OUR AUTISM & ADHD SERVICES
How NHS activity limits affect our
services (Indicative Activity Plans)
When Autism and ADHD services are commissioned by the NHS, they are delivered within agreed plans that help ensure care is safe, timely, and sustainable.
These plans are known as Indicative Activity Plans (IAPs).
This page explains what that means and how it can affect access to services.
What is an Indicative Activity Plan (IAP)?
An Indicative Activity Plan (IAP) is an agreement between an NHS commissioner and a provider that sets out:
- how much activity a service can deliver
- over what time period
- within agreed quality and waiting time standards
IAPs help the NHS manage demand, funding, and waiting times across services.
Our Commitment to Quality: We believe in transparency. By following these NHS activity plans, we ensure that every person we see receives the dedicated time and high-quality clinical attention they deserve, without compromising on safety or waiting standards.
How it works
- NHS Funding is Agreed: Your local ICB allocates a specific budget for the year.
- Capacity is Calculated: We translate that budget into a fixed number of specialist assessment slots.
- Active Monitoring: We track these slots daily to ensure we never over-promise or extend waiting times beyond safe limits.
How IAPs affect the service we provide
Depending on the NHS contract, an IAP may include:
Waiting time limits
Some frameworks include maximum waiting time rules.
For example:
- we may be required to ensure that waiting times do not exceed three months (subject to change depending on activity from ICB)
- this affects how many referrals we can accept at any one time
- once capacity is reached, we may need to pause new referrals temporarily
This helps ensure children, young people, and adults are not left waiting too long.
Activity or financial limits
Some IAPs also include financial or activity caps, which limit the number of assessments that can be delivered within a given period.
For example:
- an ICB may fund a fixed amount of activity
- this funding is translated into a set number of assessments
- once that limit is reached, further referrals may need to wait until additional funding is agreed
Current position for our local NHS pathways
Because our current local pathways have no financial cap, we are able to maintain a steady flow of assessments. This means your journey toward a diagnosis can continue without unnecessary pauses or funding delays.
For our current local NHS pathways:
- 3 month waiting time standards apply and must be met (subject to change depending on activity from ICB)
- at present, there is no financial cap on the number of assessments we can deliver
- this means we are able to manage referrals through a waiting list, while still meeting NHS waiting time requirements
This allows us to continue offering assessments without stopping referrals unnecessarily.
What this means for NHS Right to Choose services
NHS Right to Choose services operate differently and are commissioned separately.
For Right to Choose:
- IAPs may vary between Integrated Care Boards (ICBs)
- financial or activity caps may apply
- these caps will be translated into a maximum number of assessments
For example:
If an ICB allocates funding equivalent to a set number of assessments, we can only deliver that number within the agreed period.
At present, our Right to Choose services are not yet active, so final IAP details are not confirmed.
When will this information be available?
Once Right to Choose services are live and IAP details are confirmed, we will:
- clearly explain any limits that apply
- show how funding caps translate into assessments
- update our website so families and adults understand what is available
We believe transparency helps people make informed decisions and avoids unnecessary delays or confusion.
Why this matters
IAPs help ensure that:
- waiting times remain safe and reasonable
- services are delivered within NHS standards
- funding is used responsibly
They are part of how NHS services are planned and managed nationally.
We know that uncertainty is the hardest part of any healthcare journey. We promise to update this page regularly, giving you the most accurate ‘live’ view of NHS availability so you can make the best decisions for your family.
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Neurodevelopmental Services
Call 0300 303 9966, email
provide.wellbeing@nhs.net
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Support you can trust
Our team provides actionable insights, no matter where you are on your journey, and offers expert advice to help you or a family member on your road to a diagnosis. Our ASD and ADHD services are suitable for children and young people seeking a diagnosis.
