Introduction
Private ADHD assessment is a significant decision — financially and clinically. The market has grown rapidly over the past five years, and with that growth has come considerable variation in quality. Some private clinics provide thorough, rigorous assessments that are accepted across the NHS and educational system. Others do not.
This guide sets out what to look for when choosing a private ADHD clinic — and the questions that will help you tell the difference before you commit to booking. It is written by the clinical team at Harley Mind Care, but it applies to any provider you are considering.
1. Check CQC registration first
CQC — the Care Quality Commission — independently inspects and regulates private healthcare providers in England, including private psychiatry clinics. CQC registration means a clinic has been assessed against the same standards of safety, clinical governance, and patient care that apply to NHS providers.
You can verify whether any clinic is CQC registered at cqc.org.uk. Simply search for the clinic’s name. If a private ADHD clinic is not CQC registered, it is operating without independent oversight. That is not a minor concern — it is a fundamental one.
CQC registration is the baseline, not a mark of excellence in itself. But its absence is a clear warning sign.
2. Ask who will conduct the assessment
This is the most important question — and the one that reveals the most about a clinic’s standards. Ask directly: what are the qualifications of the clinician who will conduct my assessment?
A consultant psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has completed a minimum of 13 years of specialist training, passed the Royal College of Psychiatrists examinations, completed higher specialty training, and is listed on the GMC Specialist Register. This is the qualification level that allows a doctor to practise independently as a specialist.
Some clinics conduct assessments using nurses, psychologists, or other clinicians. These practitioners can be skilled and experienced. However, for complex presentations — ADHD combined with anxiety, depression, autism, or other conditions — consultant psychiatrist involvement ensures the clinical depth to distinguish between conditions that can look very similar, and to make prescribing decisions safely.
A reputable clinic should answer this question clearly and without hesitation. Vague answers about “qualified clinicians” or “our experienced team” are not sufficient.
3. Understand what the assessment actually involves
A thorough ADHD assessment is not a questionnaire. It involves pre-assessment rating scales completed independently by the patient and an informant — a partner, parent, or teacher — a structured clinical interview of 60 to 90 minutes, consideration of differential diagnoses, and a full written diagnostic report.
Ask the clinic: what does the assessment process involve? How long is the clinical interview? Do you use validated assessment tools? Will the report be accepted by my GP? If the answers are vague, or if the process sounds unusually brief or transactional, consider looking elsewhere.
For autism assessments specifically, ask whether the ADOS-2 is included and whether it is conducted face to face. The ADOS-2 is the gold standard diagnostic tool for autism — it requires direct observation and cannot be conducted remotely or replaced by a questionnaire.
4. Check independent reviews
Patient reviews on independent platforms — Doctify, Google, and Trustpilot — provide a useful picture of the patient experience. Look at the overall volume of reviews as well as the rating, and read the content of both positive and negative reviews.
Be cautious of clinics with very few reviews, reviews that all sound similar, or reviews that focus entirely on the booking process rather than the clinical experience. Look for specific comments about the quality of the assessment, the report, and the aftercare.
5. Ask about shared care support
If you are likely to need ADHD medication following your assessment, shared care arrangements with your GP are important. Under a Shared Care Agreement, your GP takes over prescribing once your medication is stabilised — significantly reducing your long-term costs.
Ask the clinic: do you provide shared care documentation? Will your letter be accepted by most GPs? What happens if my GP declines? A clinic that has experience supporting shared care agreements and can explain the process clearly is a clinic that understands the full patient journey, not just the assessment itself.
6. Understand the full fee structure
Reputable clinics are transparent about fees upfront. Ask exactly what is included in the assessment fee — does it include the report? The first prescription if needed? Shared care documentation? A follow-up appointment? Are there any additional charges you might encounter?
Hidden costs are not just financially frustrating — they are a marker of a clinic that is not operating transparently. A straightforward, clear fee structure is a basic marker of a well-run service.
7. Consider the aftercare
An assessment is the beginning of a clinical relationship, not the end of one. Ask what aftercare is available — for medication management, titration appointments, follow-up consultations, and letters for employers, schools, or other bodies.
A clinic that provides a diagnosis and then has no clear pathway for what comes next has not thought carefully about patient outcomes. Good aftercare is part of good clinical practice.
A note on online-only providers
Online ADHD assessments can be clinically valid for adults when conducted by a qualified clinician using proper methodology. However, some online providers have prioritised speed and volume over rigour — brief consultations, minimal clinical interview, and reports that GPs may question.
For children and young people, in-person assessment is important for reasons of observation and clinical judgement that a video call cannot fully replicate. For autism assessments at any age, in-person ADOS-2 administration is the standard.
The format of the assessment — online or in-person — matters less than who is conducting it and how. Ask the same questions of an online provider as you would of an in-person one.
Summary — the five questions to ask any private ADHD clinic
1. Are you CQC registered? (Verify at cqc.org.uk)
2. Who exactly will conduct my assessment, and what are their qualifications?
3. What does the assessment process involve — how long, what tools, what report?
4. Do you support shared care agreements with GPs?
5. What is included in the fee and what are the aftercare options?
A reputable clinic will answer all five clearly. If any answer is vague, evasive, or incomplete — keep looking.
Book an assessment at Harley Mind Care