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
Some of our local pathways are subject to activity caps set by the ICB, while others are not. These caps can include a financial limit, a maximum waiting time, or a set number of assessments per service. The level and scope of these activity caps can change over time in line with ICB commissioning arrangements.
For services that are not currently capped, we are able to maintain a steady flow of assessments. This means your journey toward diagnosis can continue without unnecessary pauses or funding delays.
Current caps in place:
- Mid & South Essex Children and Young People Service – A maximum waiting time of 3 months applies and must be met.
If we reach an activity cap set by the ICB, we may need to pause accepting new referrals. Any changes to our capacity will be clearly communicated on our website.
Current position for our local NHS pathways
Some of our local pathways are subject to activity caps set by the ICB, while others are not. These caps can include a financial limit, a maximum waiting time, or a set number of assessments per service. The level and scope of these activity caps can change over time in line with ICB commissioning arrangements.
For services that are not currently capped, we are able to maintain a steady flow of assessments. This means your journey toward diagnosis can continue without unnecessary pauses or funding delays.
Current caps in place:
- Mid & South Essex Children and Young People Service – A maximum waiting time of 3 months applies and must be met.
- Mid & South Essex Adult ASD Service – Face-to-face assessments are subject to a financial cap, while digital assessments are not capped.
If we reach an activity cap set by the ICB, we may need to pause accepting new referrals. Any changes to our capacity will be clearly communicated on our website.
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.
TALK TO US TODAY ABOUT
Neurodevelopmental Services
Call 0300 303 9966, email
provide.wellbeing@nhs.net
or complete the form below…
Testimonials
Parent / Guardian of RO, Autism Assessment Customer
The practitioners on the day were clearly very experienced and cleverly managed to get my daughter away from me for the assessment, which I’d not expected. Getting the result so quickly on the day was great and the whole experience was nowhere near as stressful as I feared it would be.
Parent / Guardian of CA, Autism Assessment Customer
Really lovely friendly place with a calm environment for everyone.
Parent / Guardian of HB, Autism Assessment Customer
Very efficient service and really lovely staff members. Hannah made my daughter feel very comfortable.
Parent / Guardian of EA, Autism Assessment Customer
Fantastic service from start to finish! The support over the phone was excellent, and I was kept updated throughout the entire process. During the assessment, both my son and I were made to feel completely at ease. The consultation afterwards was kind, compassionate, and very professional.
Parent / Guardian of CR, Autism Assessment Customer
I don’t think it could have gone any better, all of the team were fantastic, super welcoming and reassuring. Loads of support, cannot recommend enough.
RR, ASD and ADHD Assessment Customer
From booking to getting the assessment completed everything was easy, the service was great and we are very happy with the outcome.
Parent / Guardian of CW, Autism Assessment Customer
Once again, we were treated as a family with respect and care. Provide Wellbeing we are so grateful that you are able to offer neuro-developmental services, and always recommend you to others. Thank you so much!
Parent / Guardian of LT, Autism Assessment Customer
Everyone was so lovely, from the initial telephone consultation several months ago, right through to the day of the appointment.
Parent / Guardian of AV, Autism Assessment Customer
It’s taken us 10 years to get a diagnosis for our daughter after no one listening to us. We can now get the help and support our daughter well deserves! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
NT, Autism Assessment Customer
I was made to feel like an equal, an adult, even a friend. The assessment was a casual conversation where we chatted back and forth. Thank you for making me feel less alone and confused in the way I think and feel.
Parent / Guardian of AR, Autism Assessment Customer
To the special lady who in depth and sensitively took the time to tell us about what she found in the assessment and delivered our son’s diagnosis to us. I’ll be forever grateful.
Parent / Guardian of IE, Autism Assessment Customer
Really simple quick and easy process from start to finish. Absolutely wonderful and caring staff who were so good with my child and were so patient and kind when explaining everything. Couldn’t be more grateful for the team.
Parent / Guardian of EM, Autism Assessment Customer
From day one the service we have received has been exceptional.
Parent / Guardian of AM, Autism Assessment Customer
All of the staff at Provide Wellbeing were welcoming and thorough in their assessment. I highly recommend this professional service.
Parent / Guardian of ER, Autism Assessment Customer
All the team were really nice and kind and put me and my daughter at ease. They explained everything very well and made sure my daughter understood as best she could.
Parent/Guardian of GF, Autism Assessment Customer
The staff were very welcoming, they made the experience very playful for my son. As parents we felt listen to and not rushed.
Parent/Guardian of EK, Autism Assessment Customer
An excellent experience, everything was explained in great detail and we felt like we had the time to discuss anything else we needed to. My son was able to ask any questions he had too.
Parent/Guardian of MC, Autism Assessment Customer
Quiet and bright clinic, perfect for my daughter, and the team are lovely and very informative.
Parent/Guardian of DS, Autism Assessment Customer
Overwhelmingly positive. All staff were so professional, and talked about and to my Son in a positive, kind way. It was so refreshing.
Parent / Guardian of BR, Autism Assessment Customer
The team were incredibly approachable and friendly, which made us feel comfortable and heard throughout the entire process. We truly appreciated the clear communication and the care with which they explained the findings. It was evident that they took the time to ensure both my son and I fully understood the diagnosis, which meant a […]
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.
