How long is the wait for an ADHD assessment in Waltham Forest?
Short answer. The NHS does not publish how long children wait from referral to an ADHD assessment. It does publish how long children still on the waiting list have waited so far. In North East London in June 2026, 70% (about 7 in 10) of children aged 5 to 17 with an open referral had been waiting a year or more, and 41% two years or more. In London the figures were 56% and 30%, and in England 62% and 37%.
NHS England figures for June 2026, for North East London as a whole. This is how long other families waited, not a prediction for your child.
How long children on the list have waited so far, June 2026
| Area | Children with an open referral | Waiting a year or more | Waiting two years or more | No contact yet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North East London | 1,640 | 70.4% | 41.5% | 20.7% |
| London | 22,935 | 55.9% | 30.3% | 43.9% |
| England | 203,170 | 61.9% | 37.4% | 59.4% |
Source: NHS England, ADHD management information (management information, experimental). Children aged 5 to 17. Counts are rounded to the nearest 5.
In June 2026, 680 children in North East London had been waiting two years or more, up from 300 in March 2025. Fewer children in North East London have had no contact at all than in London or England, but more have waited over a year. Most seem to get a first contact and then wait for the assessment itself.
What the council reports
The council reports the average wait on the CAMHS neurodevelopmental pathway. The report doesn't say which conditions it covers (London Borough of Waltham Forest, SEND Local Area Improvement Plan - Highlight Report (September 2025) (October 2025), p. 18):
| Measure | March 2025 baseline | July 2025 | August 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAMHS neurodevelopmental pathway: average wait once on pathway (weeks) | 48 | 46 | 39 |
"Once on pathway" suggests this doesn't count time on the waiting list before that, which may be why it is much shorter than the NHS England figures above. The council doesn't say.
What these figures don't tell you
- They show how long children still waiting have waited so far. They will wait longer before they are seen. The NHS doesn't publish how long a finished wait took.
- They count referrals for "neurodevelopmental conditions, excluding autism". That includes ADHD but also conditions such as Tourette syndrome, so it may overstate ADHD referrals.
- They don't include children waiting on community paediatrics lists. Some children are assessed for ADHD there instead (see the NHS community waiting lists).
- They cover all of North East London, not Waltham Forest alone.
Can I ask to be referred somewhere else for an autism or ADHD assessment?
In England, if your GP refers you to a mental health service, you can usually choose which NHS-funded provider you are referred to for your first appointment. Ask your GP. This is sometimes called "right to choose" (Department of Health and Social Care, NHS Choice Framework: what choices are available to you in your NHS care (October 2024)). Not every provider assesses children, and some have their own waiting lists, so ask how long the wait is before you choose.
Support at school doesn't need a diagnosis
You don't need a diagnosis to ask the council for an EHC needs assessment. The legal test is about your child's needs (Children and Families Act 2014, section 36(8)). See how long an EHC plan takes.
For trend charts and the full figures, see the health page.