Parent Partnership are well meaning, but do not see themselves as legal experts and take a softly softly approach with the LA (ineffective) and schools (effective sometimes). In common with most, they do not support at tribunal. They are probably useful to take to meetings, but not for much else. Will vary from person to person too.
Referral for DX is via GP to the nearest child development centre. The Primary Care Trust (North Yorkshire and Yorks PCT) that funds diagnosis have been historically poor wrt autism. They should by now (i.e. April) have put in place a diagnostic pathway for all of North Yorkshire from 0-19, but I know this is not the case in Harrogate District. As far as I know it is in place elsewhere. There has not been a referral service for children over 5 in Richmondshire for a number of years, so there may well be a waiting list. NICE guidance says first referral should be within 3 months of referral, but it does not stipulate maximum length of time to diagnosis. You may have to push and don't take no for an answer. Involve the MP if necessary.
North Yorkshire is a highly delegating local authority - that is it gives most of its SEN money directly to schools and retains very little centrally to fund statementing. They are in the bottom 8% of authorities that maintain statements as a percentage of the school population, and are looking to reduce this still further.To get one is nearly always a fight, but don't let that put you off, if that is what the child needs. Remember, a statement can be necessary even if a child is academically successful. You will probably have to be prepared to register appeal/go to tribunal to achieve decent provision, in my experience.
The academic results for children with autism at KS2 are some of the worst in the country. They are somewhat better at KS4, but still variable.
They have recently invested in Enhanced Mainstream Schools (EMS) - 5 primary schools for Communication and Interaction (inc autism) and 5 secondary schools for high functioning autism. The Council's view is that pretty much all children should be in their mainstream, local school. Getting into an EMS may well be a fight too - only for "a very small number of children" according to the Council. EMS provision, though, is essentially mainstream provision with a bit of pull out specialist teaching. It is not like an autism base. The staff in EMS provide outreach to 70-80 other schools at the same time, so may well not be on site that much. It is probably an appropriate type provision for children with mild/ moderate needs, but not for those with mod/severe needs, which is how North Yorkshire present it. A child needs a diagnosis and a statement to attend an EMS, despite the Council insisting that they look at a child's needs, and a diagnosis is not necessary.
There is an outreach service provided by the EMS staff for children without diagnosis in mainstream schools, and for children with a diagnosis there is the ASCOSS outreach service. I don't think there is any difference between the two in practice. It's another layer of provision available to prevent/delay children getting regular, specialist help / statement of SEN.
There is no specialist autism provision in North Yorks provided by the Council. The nearest indie will be Breckenbrough school for HFA in Thirsk.
My understanding of CAMHS service is that they only see children with autism in a crisis. If you feel it is getting that way then you will have to insist either directly or via GP.
Support groups - nothing terribly close I'm afraid:
Craven Support www.cravensupport.org.uk/
Harrogate NAS harrogate-autism.org.uk/
NYPACT www.nypact.co.uk/
Ryedale Special Families www.ryedalespecialfamilies.org.uk/index.htm
Whitby WHISH www.adhd-yorkshire.com/Support-Benefits.htm#Whitby%20Hidden%20Impairments%20Self%20Help%20Group
North Yorks are about to consult on a new autism strategy, which may well change things. For the better or worse, I'm not sure.
My experience of North Yorks SEN officers and ASCOSS team has been a negative one. Any dealings you have with them need to be noted/ minuted - keep a diary/evidence file, contact IPSEA for advice, read the Code of Practice know your rights etc. Other people I know have had better experiences. It is possible to achieve good i.e. appropriate provision in North Yorkshire, but it probably won't fall in your lap.