Right to Choose may let you ask your GP for an NHS-funded autism assessment with a suitable provider of your choice—including some independent providers working for the NHS.
Explain your concerns and ask whether a specialist assessment is appropriate.
Confirm age limits, assessment format and the current NHS referral route.
Use the NHS referral pathway. A private booking is a different arrangement.
NHS: autism assessments and Right to Choose · Your choices in the NHS
How to ask about Right to Choose
- Book a GP conversation. Bring a few everyday examples of what your child finds difficult, what helps and any relevant nursery or school information. Involve your child in a way that suits their age and understanding.
- Ask about your options. Say you would like to discuss an autism assessment and whether Right to Choose applies. The clinician first considers whether referral is clinically appropriate.
- Check the provider together. It needs the appropriate NHS contract for the service and must be suitable for your child. Some services are online; age limits and referral criteria differ.
- Follow that provider’s NHS instructions. Some ask parents to prepare questionnaires before the GP referral; others collect information later. Completing a questionnaire alone is not an accepted NHS referral.
- Keep the confirmation. Ask who will acknowledge the referral, what information is still needed and who to contact while waiting. Keep your contact details up to date.
Referral rules: NHS England patient choice guidance. Children’s assessment preparation: NICE guidance for under-19s.
Questions parents often ask
Can children use Right to Choose?
It can apply to children and young people when the relevant requirements are met. Being a child does not mean every provider offers a suitable service: check the exact age range, communication needs, clinical criteria and assessment format.
For a local NHS assessment, a school or health visitor may sometimes be involved in referring. For the independent NHS Right to Choose services linked below, a GP referral is required. Discuss the correct route with your GP.
NHS referral overview · NHS ICB: children, eligibility and choice.
Is the assessment free?
An accepted NHS-funded Right to Choose assessment is paid for by the NHS. An independent provider can offer both NHS and private appointments, so check which route you are using.
Do not book a private appointment expecting the NHS to reimburse it automatically. Confirm the referral and funding route before agreeing to any fees. Ask separately what follow-up is included.
NHS: independent providers delivering NHS care · Provider example: NHS funding after an accepted GP referral.
Can I choose any clinic?
No. The legal choice rules apply to suitable services with the required NHS contract and clinical leadership. A private clinic’s existence or a CQC registration alone does not establish that it can accept this NHS referral.
The legal right has exceptions, including urgent and emergency care and certain other circumstances. Ask the referrer how the rules apply to your child rather than relying on an online provider list.
Will it be quicker?
Possibly, but there is no guaranteed shorter wait. Check whether an advertised time starts at referral, acceptance, completed questionnaires or booking—and whether it applies to your child’s pathway.
Current NHS commissioning arrangements can affect bookings. Clinical Partners, for example, publishes local NHS updates alongside its waiting information. Use up-to-date provider information and ask your GP or Integrated Care Board (ICB) if the position is unclear.
Provider waiting-time and local NHS updates. These are changing arrangements, not a general rule that overrides legal choice rights.
What if my child is already on a waiting list?
Speak to the professional who made the referral before changing anything. Ask whether a new referral is appropriate, how it affects the existing referral and which date the new service will use. Do not cancel the current referral until you understand the arrangements.
Do not assume you can keep two referrals indefinitely or that time already waited transfers automatically. Local pathways differ, and changing provider may not shorten the wait.
NHS ICB advice on existing referrals · LLR NHS update on changing provider.
Does this apply across the UK?
This Right to Choose guide describes England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have different arrangements. Ask your GP or local NHS service about the assessment options available where you live.
Provider information to explore
These are examples, not recommendations, a ranking or a complete directory. NeuroVillage has no referral partnership with them. Check the current NHS page and discuss suitability with your GP.
Clinical Partners: children’s NHS autism route
Its published children’s page describes an NHS Right to Choose service from age five. Check the full current age criteria and whether its online approach fits your child’s needs. It asks families to prepare age-appropriate questionnaires before the GP referral.
Children’s eligibility and GP referral steps →
Current waiting-time and NHS updates →
Psychiatry UK: children and young people’s NHS autism route
Its published service covers ages eight to 17 years nine months and uses online assessments. Its page explains GP referral, suitability checks and parent/young-person involvement. Confirm current criteria directly, especially near an age boundary.
- Can you accept my child’s age and support needs through the NHS route?
- Are appointments online, in person or a mixture? What adjustments are possible?
- Are new referrals and bookings open for our pathway?
- What is the current wait, and what stage does it measure?
- What reports, feedback and follow-up are included?
A polite message to your GP
Copy and adapt this in your own document. Send it to your GP practice through its usual contact route; do not send private reports to NeuroVillage.
Subject: Advice about an autism assessment and Right to Choose for [child’s name] Dear Dr [name] / Practice Team, I would be grateful for an appointment to discuss whether an autism assessment would be appropriate for my child, [name and date of birth]. We have noticed [brief examples and their effect on everyday life]. I can provide relevant information from [nursery / school / other professionals], if helpful. Could we please discuss the available NHS assessment routes, including whether Right to Choose may apply? I would welcome your advice on a suitable provider, its referral requirements and any implications for [an existing referral, if applicable]. Please let me know whether there is anything you would like us to prepare before the appointment. Thank you for your time and support. Kind regards, [your name and contact details]
If you are not offered a choice
Start by asking your GP or referrer to explain which options apply and the reason for any refusal. If the issue remains unresolved, the NHS Choice Framework explains how to raise concerns with your ICB or NHS England. It lists the choice team at england.choice@nhs.net. Check that official page for the current route.
Help while you wait
You can discuss school support while waiting for diagnosis. An autism assessment and an EHC needs assessment are separate processes.
Nursery, school and Family Hub help →
EHCP request steps →
Understanding waiting times →
Prepared by NeuroVillage. Official NHS, government and provider sources are linked beside the relevant information; checked 26 October 2026. Provider criteria and availability can change. General information, not an individual clinical or legal eligibility decision. We do not arrange referrals or collect children’s health information. All resources →