About the Dynamic Support Approach

Can the dynamic support approach help people who do not have a formal diagnosis

The Dynamic Support Approach requires adults and young people to have a learning disability and/or a formal diagnosis of autism. However, the Dynamic Support Service can also support young people, up to the age of 26 years old, who are on a waiting list for an assessment for autism.

What is the benefit of being on the Dynamic Support Database to people and their families?

The different services and professionals already supporting you are guided to work with each other more closely to improve your support or to find other resources that you would find helpful. 

What services or supports do the dynamic support services offer to people and their families?

We use our personal and professional experiences with autism and learning disabilities to guide your support.  Where needed we can connect people to partner services that offer mentoring, positive behaviour support and sensory assessment.

What happens after someone makes a referral and how long does it take?

After a referral is received  a consultation will be offered within seven days to meet with either a Practice Consultant from the Dynamic Support Service or a CTR Chair. A copy of the consultation is provided to the referrer. 

What does dynamic mean? How does it change the support someone gets?

Dynamic means that a person's care changes when their needs change. The care and support is planned, given when they need it, well matched to them and tries to help them feel better. It may be creative and personal. It isn't always time limited and can be very different from a traditional therapy.

How do people who move in or out of Kent and Medway get help?

People would need to make contact with the local council in their new home area. 

 If you have just moved to Kent or Medway you can find information here:

Personal information

What personal information is held by the Dynamic Support Database?

The Dynamic Support Database holds information like:

  • Your name
  • Your date of birth
  • Your health information and support needs:

The information is kept for as long as you need support.

Once you no longer need help:

  • your information remains on the database for 6 months. 
  • After 6 months it is taken off the database from the list but is filed.

If your mental health remains well and the support you are receiving is right for you, your information will be permanently removed from the file after six years.

Can my information on the Dynamic Support Database be changed?

Yes. If something does not seem right or if something about your needs or health changes, your records can be updated to make sure you get the right support.

Who will have access to the information on the database?

The information on the Dynamic Support Database can be seen by:

  • Professionals in the Dynamic Support Service and CTR team.
  • Health workers
  • Social  workers
  • Education workers, such as a SEN worker or the SENCO at a person's school or college.

Can people who are on the database see their information?

Yes, you can see your information on the Dynamic Support Database through your right to what is called a subject access request. More information on subject access requests can be found at Right of access

If you are under 16, your parents or guardians need to make this request.

How to make a request

Ask in writing: You or your parents need to write a letter or an email asking to see your information.

Get a copy - the people in charge of the Dynamic Support Database will give you a copy of your information. However, as some of the information is not owned by the people in charge of the database, they may suggest that you approach the writers  of the information, (that is, social worker, doctor, education worker etc.) to get a copy of your records.

Check for mistakes: If you find any mistakes, you can ask them to fix it.

Why can't parents give consent for the dynamic support approach for their children who are 16 or older?

UK law states that people aged 16 or over can make their own decisions about accepting support from social services or health care treatment. 

Can I ask someone I know to help me fill out the self-referral? 

Yes, you can ask anyone you like to help with the referral.  This could be-

  • a family member
  • or support worker, a social worker, or a professional from the Children and Young Peoples Mental Health Service or Community Mental Health Team.
  • or your doctor. 

Health and social care services

How do services work together to help people on the Dynamic Support Database?

We want to make sure that we understand you, your interests and your needs.  

We work to include you and those important to you in finding solutions. 

We find out quickly what services can and cannot do to improve things. 

We support your services to keep talking to you and to each other when problem solving. 

We try to be creative when looking for resources or new services.

Are there different or new services who provide support if someone is helped by the dynamic support approach?

Yes. For people 26 years of age and under, additional services are possible through the dynamic support service and can include mentoring, positive behavioural support and sensory assessment.  

Dynamic Support Services also keeps up-to-date about services that are not widely known and advise health and social care professionals when support and service needs not being met.

What if someone isn't using social care or local mental health teams?

People may not be using services for many reasons.  However, if help is needed it is recommended that people contact social services in Kent and Medway:

If mental health services may be needed, contact:

What is a mental health act assessment?

This is an assessment when there are concerns about a person's mental health, safety and whether or not they are able to use services available to them.  

The assessment must be done by doctors, one of whom is a mental health professional.  

Find out more about the Mental Health Act

What is LEAP?

A LAEP means Local Area Emergency Protocol.

This is a meeting for a person 17 years old or younger:

  • who is autistic, has a learning disability or both
  • and is in a mental health crisis
  • and a psychiatrist has recommended that they should be admitted to mental health hospital.

Often this meeting happens after a Mental Health Act assessment.

The meeting is to decide if community services can make changes to safely support the person or if mental health hospital is the only option that can safely provide support.

The person and all involved in their support are invited.  The psychiatrist must attend and has the final say whether or not mental health hospital will be needed.