Liverpool City Council and Merseyside partners unite to improve the lives of neurodiverse residents 

Liverpool City Council and Merseyside partners unite to improve the lives of neurodiverse residents 

Liverpool has unveiled an ambitious initiative aimed at enhancing support for neurodiverse individuals throughout Merseyside. This plan responds to research identifying considerable obstacles faced by neurodivergent people in key areas such as education, employment, and healthcare. The effort, titled *Liverpool’s Commitment to Neurodiversity: A Strategy for an Inclusive City 2025–2035*, has been developed through a collaborative process that includes input from neurodivergent individuals, their families, and carers.

The strategy draws attention to the pressing need for improvements in the lives of people with conditions including Autism, ADHD, Dyspraxia, Dyslexia, and Tourette’s Syndrome. Estimates suggest that over 70,000 residents in Liverpool are neurodivergent, with figures in the UK indicating roughly one in seven people fall under this category—though the actual numbers might be higher due to diagnostic challenges. The Liverpool Neurodiversity Strategic Partnership (LNSP) has spearheaded the creation of this strategy, bringing together a broad coalition of services such as Liverpool City Council’s Adult Social Care and Children’s Services, the NHS, education providers, and the voluntary and social enterprise sector, alongside the key voices of those directly impacted.

At its core, the strategy is founded on the principle that neurodivergent individuals should have the opportunity to live fulfilling lives with appropriate empowerment and support. It acknowledges a greater societal understanding of neurodiversity but also recognizes current systems and services are inadequate and not fully aligned with the needs of the community. As a result, the strategy demands rapid and significant change, focusing on dismantling stigma, embedding neurodiversity awareness across service providers, expanding early intervention services for timely and needs-based support, improving options for those who self-identify as neurodivergent or face delays in diagnosis, and redesigning assessment processes to enhance accessibility and speed.

Councillor Angela Coleman, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, expressed gratitude for the input that shaped the strategy and emphasized its clear vision for positive change. Anne Marie Lubanski, Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director of Adult Care and Health at Liverpool City Council, stressed that the priority remains providing timely and accessible care for neurodivergent individuals and highlighted the importance of cross-sector collaboration to foster an inclusive society that truly values neurodiversity. Similarly, Anthony Leo, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside’s Place Director for Liverpool, reaffirmed the commitment to creating an environment where neurodivergent people, alongside their families and carers, can flourish, noting that working with all nine local authorities in the region is vital to improving care access

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