Reflections on Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2026
To support implementation of the Right Door Strategy, in January 2025 the Childrens Regional Partnership Board agreed their three transformational priorities for the next twelve months, one of which is Neurodiversity; ‘Neurodiversity – supporting children and young people to have equal life opportunities.’
This reflected the emerging research evidence locally and nationally around projected increases in need and demand around neurodivergence. It is also in line with requirements of a range of legislation and guidance such as:
- United Nations Convention on the rights of the child (UNCRC)
- Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015
- Social Services and Well Being (Wales) Act 2014
- Welsh Government Neurodivergence Improvement Programme Wales, including Wales Autism Strategy and Autism Code of Practice, which is due to be replaced with Neurodivergence Code of Practice in 2026.
Designing Success Together: Neuro-affirmative Innovations event March 2025
To drive forward the neurodiversity priority, the Children’s Regional Partnership Board (CRPB) held a two‑day event last year titled “Designing Success Together: Neuro‑affirmative Innovations.” More than 100 people attended, including individuals with lived experience and representatives from a wide range of organisations such as BCUHB, local authorities, schools, and the voluntary and charity sectors.
The event brought partners together to collaboratively shape an inclusive, neuro‑affirmative service model, one that enables children, young people, and families across North Wales to receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place. Participants were encouraged to be brave, bold, and creative in their contributions.
From this work, a collective Ambition Pledge was developed and adopted by the Children’s Regional Partnership Board and individual partner organisations. Progress will be measured against the aims set out in this pledge.
Delivering neuro-affirmative success together: be brave and be bold
At the Neuro‑affirmative Innovations event, we established four shared aims to guide us towards a neuro‑affirmative North Wales; one where babies, children, young people, and their families have equal life opportunities. The Children’s Regional Partnership Board and partner organisations have pledged to work together to achieve these aims. The four aims are:
- Every child and young person’s strengths and needs are recognised early and supported on their own terms.
- We all work together as one, making sure no-one is left behind.
- As decision makers, we truly listen to neurodivergent voices, and together, we create policies that make a real difference.
- Every neurodivergent person feels accepted and empowered.
Neuro-inclusion Matters!
Acceptance is important, but true inclusion goes much further. It’s about creating environments where neurodivergent people are not only accepted but genuinely valued, respected, and supported to thrive.
We’re excited to share that, during Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2026, the National Neurodivergence Team will be hosting two free online events under the title “Neuro‑inclusion Matters!”
The next event will take place on Friday 20th March, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, focusing on “How we create a neuroinclusive society”. You can sign up using the link below:
