Keep useful notes, not a surveillance log
Record significant changes in sleep, eating, school attendance, relationships, behaviour, distress or safety that could help a professional understand what has changed. Include what helps as well as what is difficult.
Keep other support involved
Talk to school, the GP and relevant local services about support that can happen while waiting. For neurodevelopmental assessment, school information may also become useful evidence for the assessment team.
If things get worse
Do not assume you must wait for the booked appointment if the child’s needs or safety change. Contact the service, GP, NHS 111 or emergency services according to urgency and tell them what has changed.
Write down the things you most want remembered. You can read from your notes, show them to the clinician, or use the free appointment-prep tool to put them in order.
Open appointment prep →Trusted sources
NHS: children and young people’s mental health services ↗General information, not a diagnosis or personal treatment plan. Exact processes vary by service. Reviewed 8 September 2026.