1. Executive Summary

This proposal sets out a North East London (NEL) partnership programme to embed:

• Co‑production with neurodivergent communities

• Neuroinclusive practice across services

• Joined‑up working between police, social services and mental health

The programme builds on existing structures across NEL, including:

• The NEL Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism Collaborative, which already brings together NHS providers, local authorities, and communities to improve outcomes [nelft.nhs.uk]

• National policy such as Right Care, Right Person (RCRP), which requires stronger multi‑agency working to ensure the right professional responds to need [gov.uk]

🎯 Core Aim

To create a fully integrated, co‑produced and neuroinclusive system that improves outcomes, reduces crises, and builds trust across North East London.

🧠 2. Strategic Case for Change

2.1 System Challenges

Across police, social care and mental health services:

• Increasing demand linked to neurodivergence and mental health

• Fragmented pathways across agencies

• Inconsistent understanding of neurodiversity

• Escalations caused by miscommunication and lack of adjustments

National evidence shows:

• Police are often involved in mental health incidents where they are not the appropriate agency [gov.uk]

• Effective responses require cross‑agency partnership rather than single‑service delivery [local.gov.uk]

2.2 Local Opportunity (North East London)

NEL is already well positioned:

• Established multi‑agency collaboratives involving NHS, councils, and communities [nelft.nhs.uk]

• Strong lived experience leadership embedded in governance structures [democracy....ing.gov.uk]

👉 However, there is an opportunity to expand this model across police and wider frontline services with a clear neuroinclusion and co‑production framework.

🤝 3. Vision for the Partnership

“A Connected, Neuroinclusive System”

Where:

• People receive the right care from the right professional at the right time

• Services are co‑produced with neurodivergent individuals and families

• Police, social care and NHS operate as one coordinated system

🏗️ 4. Proposed Partnership Model

🔷 4.1 North East London Neurodiversity Partnership Board

Purpose:

Strategic oversight of neuroinclusion and co‑production across all agencies

Membership:

• Autistic people (lived experience leaders)

• Police (Metropolitan Police NEL)

• Local authority leads (adult & children’s services)

• NHS mental health providers

• VCSE sector

Role:

• Co‑design policy and service improvements

• Review system performance and incidents

• Set shared priorities

👉 This aligns with NHS co‑production principles of equal partnership and shared decision‑making [england.nhs.uk]

🔷 4.2 Multi‑Agency Operational Hubs

• Regular joint working between:

  • Police

  • Mental health services

  • Social care

Functions:

• Joint case management

• Crisis planning

• Early intervention

🔷 4.3 Embedded Professional Roles

• Mental health practitioners supporting police

• Social workers linked to policing and safeguarding

👉 Builds on existing UK models where clinicians work alongside police to improve outcomes [policeconduct.gov.uk]

🧰 5. Core Programme Components

✅ 5.1 Co‑Production Framework

• Involve neurodivergent people at every stage:

  • design

  • delivery

  • evaluation

👉 Co‑production means sharing power with communities to shape services [england.nhs.uk]

✅ 5.2 Neuroinclusive Practice Standards

• Communication guidance

• Reasonable adjustments embedded

• Trauma‑informed approaches

✅ 5.3 Integrated Care Pathways

• Single pathway across:

  • police contact

  • social care

  • mental health

• Named lead professional per case

✅ 5.4 Crisis Response Model

Aligned with Right Care, Right Person:

• Police attend only when risk or crime present

• Health and social care lead for care needs

• Clear handover protocols

✅ 5.5 Workforce Development

• Joint training across:

  • police

  • NHS

  • local authorities

• Co‑delivered with lived experience leaders

✅ 5.6 Learning & Improvement System

• Multi‑agency review of:

  • incidents

  • complaints

  • crises

• Continuous system improvement

🚀 6. Implementation Plan

Phase 1: Mobilisation (0–6 months)

• Establish Partnership Board

• Agree shared vision and governance

• Map existing pathways across boroughs

Phase 2: Pilot (6–12 months)

• Pilot in 1–2 boroughs:

  • e.g. Havering / Newham

• Implement:

  • operational hubs

  • joint training

  • integrated pathways

Phase 3: Scale and Embed (12–24 months)

• Expand across all NEL boroughs

• Embed in commissioning and service design

• Align with ICB and ICP strategies

📈 7. Expected Outcomes

For Neurodivergent People

• Improved experience and understanding

• Reduced crisis escalation

• Earlier access to support

For Professionals

• Clearer roles and responsibilities

• Better cross‑agency relationships

• Increased confidence in managing neurodivergent needs

For the System

• Reduced inappropriate police involvement

• Improved care coordination

• Stronger community trust

🌍 8. Added Value for North East London

This proposal:

• Builds on existing NEL collaborative structures rather than replacing them [nelft.nhs.uk]

• Strengthens lived experience leadership already embedded locally [democracy....ing.gov.uk]

• Aligns with national policy (RCRP, NHS co‑production guidance)

• Supports Integrated Care System priorities: integration, equity, and population health

✅ 9. Call to Action

We are seeking:

🔹 Partnership Agreement Across:

• Metropolitan Police (NEL)

• NHS North East London ICB

• Local Authorities

• Voluntary sector and lived experience leaders

🔹 Next Steps:

1. Endorsement of this proposal

2. Nomination of representatives to the Partnership Board

3. Agreement to pilot in selected boroughs

4. Co‑design of implementation plan

📌 10. Closing Statement

“This is not a new service — it is a new way of working.”

By bringing together:

• lived experience

• professional expertise

• and system leadership

North East London can become a leading model of neuroinclusive, co‑produced care across policing, social care and mental health