Too many neurodivergent children and young people continue to experience delayed support, fragmented services and avoidable crises because the systems designed to support them operate in isolation rather than around the child.

The result is unnecessary trauma for children and families, increasing pressure on public services and rising costs to the taxpayer.

The Great Minds Together Statutory Reform Programme sets out a practical, evidence-informed programme of legislative reform designed to address these challenges.

Developed through years of operational delivery, multi-agency collaboration, lived experience and research, the programme builds upon recommendations previously presented in Parliament and has evolved into a comprehensive national proposal for systemic reform.

The programme has now been formally submitted to the Prime Minister's Office as a contribution to the national conversation on public service reform and prevention.

Rather than proposing isolated policy changes, the programme presents one integrated framework for improving outcomes across education, health, social care and youth justice.

The programme recommends six connected areas of legislative reform:

Creating an independent national body: the M.I.N.D.S. Authority (Mental Health, Inclusive of Neurodiversity and Delivery Standards) to improve transparency, accountability and oversight across public services supporting neurodivergent children and young people.

Introducing mandatory, role-specific neurodiversity training and continuing professional development across education, health, social care, justice and wider public services.

Reforming commissioning, residential care, foster care and kinship care to ensure decisions are driven by children's needs rather than market availability.

Developing regulatory pathways that enable innovative therapeutic provision while strengthening safeguarding, independent oversight and support for children with the most complex needs.

Creating neuro-affirmative education systems that prioritise belonging, engagement and meaningful outcomes, alongside greater accountability for SEND funding and educational provision.

Shifting public investment towards earlier identification, coordinated intervention and seamless transitions into adulthood, reducing reliance on crisis services and improving long-term outcomes.

The programme is founded on one simple principle:

"The child does not change as they move between services. Only the system does."

Children experience one journey, yet our public services remain divided by legislation, funding arrangements and accountability frameworks.

This programme proposes a different approach, one that strengthens collaboration, improves transparency and ensures every organisation responsible for supporting neurodivergent children is accountable for the outcomes they achieve.

The objective is clear:

• Earlier intervention. 
• Better outcomes. 
• Reduced demand on crisis services. 
• Greater value for public investment. 
• A system designed around children rather than organisational boundaries. 

Although the programme has now been submitted to the Prime Minister's Office, we believe meaningful reform should continue to be shaped collaboratively.

We are inviting feedback from:

• Children and young people 
• Families and carers 
• Professionals 
• Researchers 
• Commissioners 
• Education, health and social care leaders 
• Charities and voluntary organisations 
• People with lived experience 

Your views will help strengthen future editions of the paper and support ongoing discussions with Government, Parliament and national partners.

You can provide feedback by:

• Completing our online consultation survey below
• Emailing your comments to gmtconsultation@gmt.team 
• Attending one of our future consultation and engagement events 

We welcome constructive feedback, evidence and practical recommendations that can help improve outcomes for neurodivergent children and young people across England.