The MHST recognise importance of a coordinated approach to mental health support, especially within educational settings. Our referral process is designed to ensure that individuals receive the right level of support at the right time, with careful consideration of their unique needs and circumstances.
- Contacting the School
Before initiating the referral process, it’s essential to reach out to the individual’s school. This step allows us to ensure that the necessary support from the school can be provided and to ensure no other intervention or provision occurs at the same time.
There are two distinct referral forms tailored to the specific needs of primary and secondary school students. These forms serve as the initial point of contact and provide essential information to our team to facilitate the referral process effectively.
Primary School Referral Form: Designed to address the unique developmental and support needs of younger students, this form gathers information about the child’s mental health concerns and any existing support systems within the primary school setting.
Secondary School Referral Form: Geared towards addressing the more complex social and emotional needs of adolescents, this form captures detailed information about the student’s views and challenges on the self-management of their mental health and the support they prefer to access at the moment.
- Initial Contact
Once the appropriate referral form is completed and submitted, our team initiates contact with the relevant provisions discussed together with our team. This step ensures a coordinated approach to support, leveraging the expertise of both MHST and NHS resources.
- Assessment
Following the initial contact, a member of our MHST collaborates closely with the individual (and, if under 15, their family) and school staff to cultivate a personalised, working plan. This plan takes into account the individual’s strengths, challenges, and goals, as well as the resources available within the school and community.
- Service Delivery and Ongoing Support
With the support plan in place, the allocated practitioner begins delivering the agreed-upon interventions and/or support services. This may include individual therapy, group therapy, workshops, or consultation with school staff. Throughout the process, we provide ongoing support, regularly reviewing progress and adjusting strategies as needed to ensure positive outcomes.
By following this structured referral process, MHST strives to ensure that individuals receive timely and comprehensive mental health support, empowering them to thrive both academically and emotionally within the educational setting.