What does meaningful digital support for families really look like? Our latest collaboration with SilverCloud by Amwell set out to answer exactly that.
Working collaboratively with SilverCloud and programme writer John Sharry, we adapted their existing ‘Supporting a Child with ADHD’ content to create new guided digital programmes for parents, guardians and carers of autistic children and teens aged 5–18.
Our team played a key role throughout, testing early drafts, reviewing therapeutic content, and offering detailed feedback drawn from their day-to-day clinical work with families. They helped refine language, ensure examples felt authentic, and shape activities so they reflect real challenges parents face. Their support helped to shape a programme that is clinically sound, grounded in lived experience, and firmly aligned with neurodiversity-affirming practice.
Doug Hiscock, Senior Product Manager at SilverCloud, said: “We are incredibly delighted that this collaborative endeavour alongside the team at Northpoint, with the support from individuals with lived experience, has led to such an innovative programme. This shared approach has ensured the programme feels authentic, practical, and meaningful. We are excited to see it used in the service and attain valuable insights from its application.”
The programme is now live across all our children and young people’s services, including Leeds school clusters, the Open Minds Partnership and Calderdale Mental Health Support Teams, and is already being implemented as part of our needs-led pilot in Leeds schools.
Early referrals are already coming through, and we expect to see the first evidenced-based outcomes in the months ahead. By gathering both clinical measures and qualitative feedback through the platform, we’ll be able to understand what’s working well, enabling us to continue shaping the offer so it delivers the best possible support for families.
“This co-produced approach reminded us that effective digital support isn’t just about being evidence based - it has to be rooted in what young people actually need in their everyday lives."
Our Deputy School Service Manager, Rachel Midgley, commented on the work: “Listening to young people with lived experience was a vital part of this work. Insights from a focus group helped us reflect on what was already in place, shaping updates to the existing ADHD pathway and informing the direction of future programme development.
“This co-produced approach reminded us that effective digital support isn’t just about being evidence based - it has to be rooted in what young people actually need in their everyday lives. By bringing together clinical expertise, lived experience insight and collaborative design, we’ve helped shape a growing suite of autism and ADHD programmes that feel authentic, responsive and grounded in the real challenges faced by young people and their families.”
The programme includes modules on understanding autism, coregulation, school challenges, wellbeing, self-esteem and more – all of which are supported by relatable parent stories, practical tools, and weekly guidance from one of our practitioners who play a ‘supporter’ role. Families can reflect through a built in journal, share activities securely with their supporter, and move at a pace that works for them.
As outcomes begin to emerge, we’ll continue sharing what we learn. For now, this collaboration marks an important step in making support more responsive, accessible and empowering for families of autistic children.
