HSE seeks private service providers to support autism diagnostic assessments for children and adolescents across Ireland

The HSE is seeking qualified and experienced service providers to submit a proposal for inclusion on panels for the provision of autism diagnostic assessments for children and adolescents in Ireland. 

Bernard Gloster, HSE CEO, said, “Meeting the increasing demand for Assessments of Need is challenging and to help address this we are putting in place a Bespoke Panel Arrangement with suitable Panel Approved Providers. The Panel will be in place for one year with the option to extend for a further year, subject to demand and budget approval. Every effort is being made to have the Panel established as soon as possible so that more assessments can be made for the children on the waiting list.”

Interested service providers will be requested to submit an application if they are confident that they have both the level of capacity and suitably qualified and experienced expertise within their organisation to deliver the number of assessments they are proposing in their submission, in line with the project timeframe.

Successful service providers appointed will be required to provide comprehensive multi-disciplinary autism diagnostic team assessments for children and adolescents that have been referred. The assessments are required to be carried out using a neuro-diverse affirming approach. Where an Assessment of Need is requested under the Disability Act 2005, the service provider will take cognisance of the Independent Assessment of Need – Protocols for Assessors and the HIQA standards, and an AON summary report is required

The aim of an Assessment of Need (AON) under the Disability Act is to identify whether a person has a disability, the nature and extent of the disability, any health and education needs arising from that disability, as well as what services are required to meet those needs.

An AON is not required to access health services (including Primary Care, Children’s Disability Services or Mental Health Services providing services including assessment, goals setting, intervention and follow-up services).

For more information, see www.etenders.gov.ie