School won't refer before home visit has been carried out

[PepaWepa]

Last March I approached my child's school (new at the time, we had just moved) and told them that I think my child (then 5) had ADHD. They completely dismissed me, and I didn't have much confidence to pursue it after the way they shut me down.

My child is now 7 and in year 3, and after parents evening tonight, they've pointed out a number of ADHD symptoms that are holding her back. She's extremely intelligent, I already know how capable she is, they've told me today that her reading age is 11.2 and reading comprehension is age 12 (for info), however, she struggles (in English class) to finish her work due to becoming distracted, keep getting up to go off to do something else, not being able to follow her 'story map' due to 'going off on a tangent', amongst other things. They agreed it's signs of ADHD and offered to do the referral after I pointed out that I told them this a long time ago and wasn't listened to.

Thing is, I was called by the school Senco teacher last week (following a meeting regarding lateness, in which I told them I struggle to have her listen to me in the mornings re getting ready, eating her breakfast etc as she always busies herself with other things) and they offered at that time to do the referral, to which I agreed. When the Senco teacher called me, she said they can't do the referral until we've had a home visit/some contact by other professionals so have arranged for the Health and Wellbeing service to contact me.

I have very little faith in the school at the moment and fear this will cause further delays. AIBU to ask MN if this is true, that a referral cannot be made until we have had this contact first?

Tia

I think it would depend on your areas. Who Would the referral be made to? Have a look on their website or give them a call. They may require 2 professionals opinion
.

Can you not refer, here it would require a gp to refer to Paeds. They would then assess and arrange an adhd assessment. It is a long wait though.

Have you looked at symptoms of asd in girls - the reading etc would fit and there is a lot of cross over with adhd. Again, a paed would need to assess and refer.

It’ll depend on the area.

Any reason why you can’t get the GP to start process and make the initial referral to the paediatrician?

It's the paediatrician they said they'll be making the referral to, but cannot make this referral until I've had contact from the Health and Wellbeing service. Something about that doesn't ring true as I can't see why the referral to the paediatrician can't just be done, however I'm willing to accept I'm wrong if told otherwise. They've just been very difficult with this so far and I could wait up to a month to hear from the health and wellbeing service, which will just delay this more than needs be. They also mentioned it would be a home visit, then said it may just be a phone call. I'm not sure what would be achieved from that.

I had done that before moving, although when we moved and changed GP, I had to start the referral again. I then approached the school but was dismissed so harshly with it that I thought I MUST be wrong and haven't had the assurity in myself to pursue it again. Although I can now go to the GP as I feel more validated.