The Graduated Approach team works in partnership with various professionals. Below is a list of those professionals.
The Community Speech and Language Therapy Service is a specialist service that provides speech, language, communication and feeding advice and support to children, young people and their families from 0-19 (25 years with an EHCP). Our aim is to give children and young people a voice and /or safe eating and drinking advice to empower them to reach their full potential. We do this by supporting the most influential people in children’s and young people’s lives to help create an environment that is supportive and therefore enables them to flourish.
Our role is to assess and identify the impact of any speech, language, and communication needs on the child / young person’s everyday functioning. Depending on the individual needs of the child or young person we will offer differing intervention in differing locations including clinics, schools, and homes. We work in episodes of care to address a specific speech, language and /or communication needs. When we have enabled those people who are proximal to the child to support the child / young person’s needs, we will hand the care over to the parents or carers or setting staff to implement as appropriate.
The Children's Occupational Therapy service provides a year-round service to children with motor difficulties which impact upon their functional ability. Referrals are triaged prior to acceptance. We provide advice and support to children requiring equipment to maintain their daily function.
Occupational therapy services are delivered at Clinics, Workshops, Home and School settings, and at equipment assessment clinics.
Educational workshops are held for parents and carers of children with sensory processing problems. Referrals to these workshops are only accepted directly from parents.
The service provides a year-round service to children with motor and sensory difficulties which impact upon their functional ability. The service provides advice and support to children requiring equipment to maintain their daily function.
Sefton occupational therapy - Alder Hey Children's Hospital Trust
School Nurses are registered nurses who specialise in promoting the health and wellbeing of school age children in accordance with the Healthy Child Programme.
They are not based within school but work closely with schools and other professionals to ensure every child’s individual health needs are addressed early, and every child is able to achieve their full potential.
Every school has a Named School Nurse who works together with the wider team to deliver the Healthy Child Programme to children in the borough of Sefton. The team consists of Specialist Community Public Health School Nurses, Community Staff Nurses, Nurse Associates, Clinical and Administrative Support Workers.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that affects the way a person communicates and relates to people around them. At Alder Hey we are a commissioned ASD Diagnostic Assessment service for Children & Young People aged from 2 years to 18 years.
Children with ASD can find the world a confusing place and may have high levels of anxiety, despite their intelligence. ASD may impact on other aspects of behaviour too for example finding it hard to be flexible. Some children with ASD may have difficulties with sensory processing. These children may avoid certain sensory experiences (noise, smell, touch etc.) or they may seek out these sensory experiences.
ASD can affect anyone, no matter what their ability or background. More boys than girls are affected, a ratio of 1:3. Although it is more recognised in boys there is growing evidence that it is common in girls as well, they tend to present differently and may ‘mask’ their presentation. After 50 years of research, there is still no agreed explanation for ASD, but it is unlikely there is one single cause for it. There is no link between immunisations and autism, despite intensive research into this area.
Referrals
Referrals can be made via the online portal. All other information you require about the service and support services you can access information via the Alder Hey Hospital website Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) - Alder Hey Children's Hospital Trust
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neuro-developmental condition where children have difficulty with attention and/or hyperactivity and controlling impulses. Their difficulties must be evident in more than one setting (for example, at school and home) and be significant enough to interfere academically and/or socially. In most circumstances, we see school-aged children for assessment and would normally only be able to diagnose after the age of six.
There doesn’t have to be behavioural difficulties or learning difficulties. ADHD can present in various forms, such as a person not being able to concentrate or organise themselves. They will not necessarily be hyperactive. Although these traits can be distressing and cause problems for some, they provide creativity, energy and determination.
Many of the behaviours commonly associated with ADHD can also be explained by other factors including early life experiences, poor sleep or a range of other developmental conditions. Part of our assessment process involves evaluating how much of a role, if any, these other factors play and attempting to identify and exclude these. This is vitally important because, although getting a timely diagnosis of ADHD is important, it is also crucial that a child or young person isn’t wrongly diagnosed with ADHD. For example. there could be other explanations or underlying conditions that are causing the challenges they are facing, so we need to make sure that they can get the correct support and guidance at the right time.
Referrals can be made through the Alder Hey Referral Portal: Home (alderhey.nhs.uk)
The service is for families requiring advice, support and intervention for children and young people from 0-19 years who have a diagnosis of ADHD/ASD. Initial assessment/reassessment from Specialist Nurses to assist families in understanding the need of their child following diagnosis. If further intervention is identified one of the team will support the child/young person and families with personalised strategies. This might include behaviour management or help to improve the child’s emotional well-being.
Referral
Referrals are received from Community Paediatricians, Consultant Psychiatrists, CAMHS, School Health, Health Visitors, other Health Professionals, Social Care, Education and Voluntary Sector.
Alder Hey CAMHS offers specialist services to support children and young people in Liverpool and Sefton, up to the age of 18, who are experiencing mental health difficulties. We also provide support to their families or carers.
Some of the issues that we can help with include:
- Anxiety
- Attachment Difficulties
- Conduct/Behaviour Problems
- Depression
- Emotional and Behavioural difficulties in children with Learning Disabilities
- Obsessions and Compulsions
- Psychosis
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Self-harm
- More complex psychological difficulties
We also provide consultation, advice and training to other agencies and accept referrals from a wide range of professionals. The team is multi-disciplinary, which means our clinicians come from a range of clinical and professional backgrounds.
The service works with the young people, parents, carers, and partner agencies to make sure that the right care is provided to each individual, depending on their needs and circumstances.
Eating Disorders
The newly formed Eating Disorder Young Person Service (EDYs) provides treatment to children and young people with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS). This dedicated community-based service provides timely intervention to multi-disciplinary assessment and intervention across Liverpool and Sefton.
The Eating Disorder Young People Service (EDYS) - Alder Hey Children's Hospital Trust
Online Referrals:
If you are a professional looking for a referral to CAMHS, please visit Make-referral (seftonliverpoolcamhs.com) Referrals can also be made by the parent/carer and young person
Mental Health Support Teams (MHST) were developed as part of the national programme to reduce inequalities and increase access to mental health support for children and young people.
The MHST is a multi-disciplinary team comprising of Clinical Leads, Team Leads, Mental Health Practitioners and Education Mental Health Practitioners (EMHP’s) who work directly with schools, parents, children and young people. EMHPs are trained to deliver evidence-based early-interventions, which includes Low Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Li-CBT).
The MHST has three core functions:
- to deliver evidence-based interventions for mild-to-moderate mental health issues;
- support the senior mental health lead (where established) in each school or college to introduce or develop whole school or college approach and;
- give timely advice to school and college staff and liaise with external specialist service to help children and young people to get the right support and stay in education.
The Alder Hey MHST’s work with over 160 schools across Liverpool and Sefton, in collaboration with partner agencies within the Education Mental Health Teams (EMHT). Sefton MHST covers 60 schools currently including all high schools and is currently in the process of recruiting to a fourth team, which will allow cover to extend to 80 schools across the borough.
The teams offer support to children and young people who are experiencing:
- low mood
- worry
- anxiety and avoidance (e.g. simple phobias or separation anxiety)
- sleep difficulties
The team can provide techniques and strategies to children and young people, either on a direct 1:1 basis, or within school groups. MHST also work closely with parents/carers to help them understand and support their child’s mental health.
The team work collaboratively with the school’s mental health lead and senior leadership team to raise awareness and promote better mental health for everyone as part of the ‘Whole School and College Approach’.
Early Help means that children, young people, and families receive the right help as soon as a problem emerges. This could be at any age through childhood and adolescence. In Sefton this is known as Helping Families Early to thrive. This is not a separate service; it is an activity undertaken by anyone who is working with families. It relies upon local services (such as Schools, Health, Police and Voluntary Organisations) working together to identify and support children and families who would benefit from extra help.
Signposting to Sefton Services
The majority of families will be able to access universal services and are encouraged to make use of the Sefton Directory, this provides helpful information and advice, and can be accessed by any practitioner, child, young person or family member.
FAST is a team dedicated to supporting the early help offer for Sefton Children. FAST offer help and advice to families and professionals. The FAST team aim to direct families to the appropriate services. Families and professionals can contact the team for support and advice. The FAST team has one manager, an assistant team manager and six family support advisors. The team work closely with early help services and partner agencies to achieve the best outcomes for children and their families.
- Families could be signposted to a universal offer
- Professionals could be supporting in starting an early help assessment and forming a supportive team around the child
- Families could be referred to their local family hub
- Families could be allocated an early help worker to support them
What we need from you
Prior to calling FAST you will have spoken to the parents and have their consent to speak to us about their family. Parents will know why you are calling and what you are going to talk about. You will also have spoken about the possible outcome in terms of Early Help. This is because early help is consented by families. We will ask you to confirm your identity via email if you are a professional wishing to make a referral. Please have basic information about the family such as name, date of birth, who lives in the home, religion and disabilities. We would also like information around what support the family have already had and a clear understanding of why you are calling today, including the outcome.
Referrals are now received over the phone 0151 934 4545.
There are times when the challenges of family life become complex, and families may need some bespoke support for a period of time. Targeted help focuses on the specific needs the family need to help them make positive changes.
Family Wellbeing Hubs provide joined up support for children and young people aged 0-19 years to make family life that little bit easier.
When there, parents and carers can expect extra help, advice and guidance to help them build confidence and resilience to deal with things that family life throws at them, from the challenge of first becoming a parent to deciding what to do when they leave school and much more besides.
Family Wellbeing Centres offer support with:
- Parenting - parents to be, new parents, behaviour, speech and language
- Health - midwifery, health visitors, mental health, healthy eating, sexual health
- Employment - including training and apprenticeships
- Education - early learning, attendance, further education, achievements
- Leisure - social opportunities, events, clubs, activities
- Relationships - counselling, loneliness, bereavement
- Welfare - benefits, debt advice, housing
- Advice and guidance, including with behaviour, communication and sleep, to children and families where there is a disabled child
See below for detailed information for what each Wellbeing Hub currently offers:
What is a Team Around The School?
The Team Around The School (TAS) involves multiple professionals coming together to make sure that worries are dealt with at the earliest point, and families receive the help they need.
Who benefits from Team Around The School?
Every family could benefit from Team Around the School, and everyone needs help and support at times and that is ok. These are some of the worries families may be facing that a Team Around the School approach can with:
- Family Routines
- Health Concerns
- Drug and Alcohol Misuse
- Emotional Health and Wellbeing
- Housing Support
- Parenting
- Speech and Language Development
- Money Worries
- Managing Behaviour
- Parental Relationships
How does the Team Around The School work?
Schools work with parents to discuss the needs of their family, and a consent form is completed.
This information is shared with a core group of professionals from early help, education, and health – plus professionals who are specialists in a specific area of work. They will then work together to identify the best package of support for parents and the family.
Whilst this is a pilot at the moment, it is hoped that it will be extended to include Early Years providers and childminders and roll out to other schools in coming years.
How to access the Children with Complex Needs Service at Sefton Children’s Social Care
The Children with Complex Needs Service undertake assessments with a view of meeting the needs of children and young people with a permanent, severe disability which includes complex behavioural needs and autism where there is also associated severe learning disability. The service works with children regardless of their level of need – from review of a care package to children in need of protection or Cared for Children.
The service consists of two assessment teams of social workers and a Care Package Review Hub. The social work teams complete assessments of need and retain responsibility for overseeing the plans of children in need of protection, Cared for Children and those children in need who require a social worker for a period of time.
The social work teams carry out assessments of need requested by parents/carers where their child has a disability. Most families who need support will have their needs met through Early Help Services, Aiming High or other services under the Local Offer but, in some cases, a social care assessment of need is requested. This is an in-depth assessment which involves multiple home visits, contact being made with other professionals and agencies who work with or hold information about the child/young person, a multi-agency meeting and, where possible, a family meeting. We will explain this process to families when their first contact us through the Integrated Front Door to make sure they fully consent to this process.
The Care Package Review Hub is led by a social work Team Manager who oversees a team of Children’s Social Care Support Workers who hold case responsibility for children and young people who receive a care package. The care package is kept under review by 3 monthly visits by the CSC Support Worker, a 6 monthly review chaired by the Team Manager, and an annual reassessment overseen by the Team Manager. The CSC support worker will also provide support to and signpost families where there is a need but will not deal with safeguarding concerns.
The Service Manager of the Children with Complex Needs Service is Paula Seivewright Paula.Seivewright@sefton.gov.uk
The special educational needs information, advice and support service can provide support for parents carers and young people in arranging and attending meetings as well as offering advocacy support. The service aims to offer impartial advice and information to assist parents and carers to make informed choices about the education for those they care for. SENDIASS can offer direct support to those parents and carers based on a criteria which is based on their individual needs. It is an independent service and is provided by Barnardo’s. Sefton SENDIASS currently offer telephone and email advice, information packs and casework. SENDIASS can be contacted by telephone on 0333 323 8003 and via email sefton.sendiass@barnardos.org.uk
We work with Sefton Local Authority, Education settings, Cheshire and Merseyside ICB and NHS, Social Care and other service providers to ensure that the services they plan and deliver, meet the needs of children and young people, aged 0-25 years with SEND. We do this through consultation and co-production.
Peer to Peer Support:
We offer ‘Come and Chat’ coffee mornings at our Shared Space in Bootle, every Monday and Friday, term time. These are also offered in Linaker Family Wellbeing Hub in Southport, on a Monday, Bi-weekly. We try to have a guest speaker once a week, from any Sefton service, for parent carers to ask questions, find out information and give their lived experiences.
We attend ‘Tea and Talk Coffee Mornings’, we are regularly invited to primary and secondary school across Sefton, we talk to the parent carers about what we do, offer any signposting we can and offer advice and support.
We attend Marketplace events in schools and other locations across Sefton. We are regularly invited by the Team Around The School, Mental Health Support Teams, and SENCOS, to host a table and chat to parent carers about what we do.
Workshops and training - we try to book as many sessions per year as we can, we are always looking for new training ideas that parent carers would like us offer and are always open to ideas. Examples of what we have offered in the past year are Sleep Support, Non-Violent Resistance, Kooth, Mental Health First Aid, and Mind and Body Protection.
Social Media - you can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. On Facebook we have a private page which is just for parent carers, this is a great platform to ask questions and talk about any difficulties and get support from others who won't judge you and understand. We also offer a public Facebook page where professionals are invited to follow and post, and parent carers can get information and upcoming events direct from the source.
The role of SEND Designated Professionals - Designated Clinical Officer (DCO) & Designated Social Care Officer (DSCO).
Ingrid Bell (DCO) is employed by the NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board, while Rufus Beer (DSCO) is employed by the Local Authority Social Care to work across the system, to improve services for children and young people from years 0-25 with SEND. They are very aware of the need for families to feel understood and supported by the range of professionals in the child or young person’s life. They work with parents, carers, young people and all professionals across a range of agencies and through this engagement, aim to create clearer understanding of the needs of people with SEND within health and social care. They support the creation and governance of clearer and more consistent systems and practice, to promote children and young people reaching their outcomes and a fulfilled life. As their roles span 0-25 years, they work across children and adult services, guiding those involved in supporting transitions into adulthood.