What support is available for people with ADHD in the UK?

Dr Harry Woodward
Jan 5
3 min read

Couple speaking with a professional beside the text about ADHD support in the UK.

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If you’re parenting a child with ADHD in the UK, it can sometimes feel like you’ve been handed a very thick instruction manual… written in tiny font… in a language you didn’t quite sign up to learn. The good news is that you’re not on your own — and there is a range of support available, even if it can be a little tricky to navigate at times.

Let’s take a calm, practical look at what support exists for children and families living with ADHD in the UK — and how it can help day-to-day life feel more manageable.

NHS support for ADHD

For many families, the NHS is the first port of call.

Children with ADHD may be supported through:

Community Paediatrics
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
Local neurodevelopmental teams

Support can include assessment, diagnosis, advice on managing ADHD, parenting guidance, and (where appropriate) discussions about medication. The exact pathway varies by area — and waiting times can be long — but NHS guidance is based on robust national standards.

The NHS overview of ADHD is a helpful starting point for understanding what NHS care can involve.

NICE guidelines: what “good support” looks like

In the UK, ADHD care is guided by evidence-based recommendations from NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence).

These guidelines emphasise that ADHD support should include:

Psychoeducation (helping families understand ADHD)
Parent training and behaviour strategies
School-based support
Medication, only when appropriate and carefully monitored

Importantly, medication is not seen as the only support — or even the first step for many children.

You can view the NICE ADHD guidance here.

Support at school: SEN support and EHCPs

School can be one of the biggest pressure points for children with ADHD — but it’s also where the right support can make a huge difference.

In the UK, children with ADHD may be entitled to:

SEN Support (additional strategies within school)
Reasonable adjustments (e.g. movement breaks, chunked instructions, visual supports)
Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) for children with more complex needs

This support is not about “lowering expectations”. It’s about giving children a fair chance to show what they can do — without burning all their energy just trying to sit still.

Parenting programmes and behavioural support

One of the most effective forms of ADHD support doesn’t come in a box or a bottle — it comes in the form of parent training programmes.

These programmes focus on:

Understanding ADHD-related behaviour
Supporting emotional regulation
Building routines and structure
Reducing daily conflict and stress

They’re recommended by NICE and widely used across the UK. Many parents tell me this kind of support is where things finally start to click.

Charities and trusted organisations

Several UK charities provide excellent, practical ADHD support for families, including:

Clear explanations of ADHD
Helplines and forums
Parent resources and webinars

One particularly helpful resource is YoungMinds, which offers accessible mental health information for parents and young people.

These organisations can be a lifeline — especially while waiting for assessments or formal support.

Private and online ADHD support

Due to long NHS waiting times, some families choose to access private ADHD assessments or ongoing support, including online services.

Private neurodevelopmental clinics can offer:

Timely, thorough ADHD assessments
Clear feedback and reports
Practical, personalised guidance for home and school
Ongoing follow-up and support

For many families, this helps reduce uncertainty and allows them to move forward with confidence — while still working alongside NHS and educational services where needed.