Government Issues Update on Mandatory Child Screening Petition
The Department of Health and Social Care has delivered a significant update regarding calls for mandatory neurodevelopmental screening for all children, directly addressing a public petition that has gathered substantial support.
Petition Demands and Government Response
More than 27,000 people have signed a petition urging the government to implement compulsory neurodevelopmental checks at key developmental stages for children. The petition argues this would help identify children requiring additional support earlier in their development.
However, in a response published on January 28, the department stated clearly that "the evidence does not support neurodevelopmental screening for all children." While acknowledging the importance of early intervention and support for young people, officials emphasised that current research doesn't justify universal screening programmes.
Evidence-Based Concerns About Screening Programmes
The government's position draws heavily on established medical guidance and research findings:
- The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) ADHD guidelines explicitly recommend against universal screening for ADHD in educational settings
- Research underpinning this recommendation indicates "little to no effect" on children's ADHD symptoms from introducing universal screening in schools
- The UK National Screening Committee reviewed autism screening for pre-school children under five in February 2023 and concluded against recommending it
- Concerns include the accuracy of current screening tools and insufficient evidence that children identified through universal screening have better long-term outcomes
Current Government Initiatives and Future Directions
Despite rejecting mandatory universal screening, the department highlighted several ongoing initiatives aimed at improving support for neurodivergent children:
- The government is "currently carefully considering" recommendations from the independent ADHD taskforce report commissioned by NHS England in 2024
- An Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism was launched in December 2025
- This review aims to inform approaches enabling people with ADHD and autism to receive appropriate support within their communities
- The final report from this independent review is scheduled for publication in summer 2026
Addressing Service Delays and Rising Demand
The department acknowledged significant challenges within current systems, stating: "We know many people, including children and young people, with suspected neurodevelopmental conditions experience severe delays in accessing services, including assessments and support."
Officials emphasised their commitment to moving toward earlier identification and support, referencing the government's 10 Year Health Plan which recognises the need for early intervention. The department is also working to better understand why demand for neurodevelopmental services is rising and how to ensure people receive appropriate support at the right time.
Petition Status and Parliamentary Process
The petition, entitled 'Fund mandatory neurodevelopmental screening for all children', continues to gather signatures. Should it reach 100,000 signatures, it will become eligible for consideration for a parliamentary debate. This threshold represents a significant increase from the current 27,000 signatures, indicating substantial public interest in this important child health issue.
The government's comprehensive response reflects a careful balancing act between public demand for earlier intervention and evidence-based medical policy, while simultaneously working to improve existing support systems for neurodivergent children and their families.
