8 May 2026
A growing partnership is helping autistic young people and their families feel more supported, understood and connected.
Our intensive positive behaviour support autism team and local charity Daisy Chain have joined forces supporting parents and carers across Teesside, Durham and Darlington to navigate services.
The national keyworker programme was developed by NHS England and provides families with a single, trusted keyworker who supports those at risk of hospital admission.
They support with coordinating professional support, bringing services together, reducing family stress and making sure voices are heard.
Equal partners, the autism team offers clinical expertise and reflective practice to support keyworkers and Daisy Chain brings trusted relationships, community knowledge and a warm, familiar environment.
Working closely together, the key working project and autism team provide joined-up support that builds on existing networks that families already have.
This way of working gives extra help to families, and everyone involved has a shared understanding of the young person’s needs and lived experience.
They help young people stay connected to their communities, avoid hospital admissions and feel supported by those who understand them.
Jennifer Mrozik, principal applied psychologist, said: “the partnership is already strengthening the support available to families.
“At a similar time to the keyworker programme being set up, our autism team was developing new ways to support autistic young people in the community to reduce the need for hospital admission and keeping families together.
“As both us and Daisy Chain were working with the same families, the partnership formed naturally and began to strengthen and align the support provided for young people, parents and carers.
“It’s been incredibly valuable to build positive working relationships with services who care about the same young people. When we work as one team, we can offer families more stability, more hope and more meaningful progress.”
Daisy Chain’s, keyworking manager, Gina Summerhill, said: “We’re seeing a consistent shared understanding for the young people we support, with colleagues supporting one another through meetings, reflective practice and interface days.
“These sessions help us share knowledge, align approaches and strengthen how we work together on joint cases.”
Joint visits between Daisy Chain keyworkers and the autism team often take place at home or in the community, helping support feel more natural and less overwhelming.
Young people who are supported by our trust’s child and adolescent mental health services in Durham Tees Valley can access Daisy Chain’s groups and activities.
There are spaces where young people build confidence, develop skills and enjoy meaningful activities using sensory rooms, sensory play area, a farm, gardens, forest school and horticultural areas.
Daisy Chain is a purpose-built day centre in Norton, Stockton‑on‑Tees, that supports autistic and neurodivergent children, young people, adults and families through after‑school clubs, holiday activities, family support sessions and have safe, welcoming spaces where everyone can be themselves.
