Referrals to the team are made through your child's school.
If you feel your child may benefit from support, speak to:
Together, you can discuss whether our team is the most appropriate service.
The team provides early support for children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health and emotional wellbeing difficulties.
The team was introduced as part of the government's commitment to improve mental health support for children and young people in education settings. The service works closely with schools and colleges to help children access support as early as possible.
We are part of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). Our aim is to ensure that all schools have access to the team's support by 2030.
Our practitioners are called education mental health practitioners. They are trained to deliver evidence-based interventions, including low-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which is recommended by NICE for helping with anxiety and low mood.
Many mental health difficulties begin during childhood or adolescence. Early support can help prevent problems from becoming more serious and can improve a child's wellbeing, confidence, and ability to cope with challenges.
We can also help families find appropriate self-help resources and signpost to other services where needed.
We are not the right service if you are seeking:
If another service would be more appropriate, we will help you, or the school to identify the best source of support.
In primary schools, we usually work with parents and carers to help them support their child. Sessions often take place in school, although they may sometimes be offered online or at a local family hub.
In secondary schools, we are more likely to work directly with the young person, while continuing to involve parents and carers wherever appropriate.
We support children and young people who may be experiencing:
Our interventions are designed for difficulties that fall within the mild to moderate range.
Mild difficulties have a limited impact on day-to-day life.
Moderate difficulties are more noticeable and can make daily life more challenging, but the child or young person is generally still able to manage school and other activities.
We will arrange a meeting with the child or young person and their parent or carer to understand their needs and discuss any concerns.
For some group interventions, this may take place by telephone.
We aim to offer this appointment within 28 days of receiving the referral. If there is any delay, we will keep you informed.
Together, we will decide on the best way forward.
This may include:
We will also ask you to complete some questionnaires to help us understand needs and monitor progress.
If support from our team is agreed, the child, young person, parent, or carer will usually take part in a programme of 6 to 8 sessions. These sessions are aimed at building skills, improving resilience, and confidence in managing difficulties.
Individual and targeted team interventions are provided as part of an NHS service.
If a referral is accepted for targeted support, an NHS clinical record will be created so that the support provided can be recorded safely and appropriately.
Universal support delivered to whole classes or groups does not usually require an individual NHS clinical record.
