Skip to content

Mental health and therapies

GP, health visitor and school nurse

Children placed for adoption should be registered with their new GP as soon as they have moved to their prospective adoptive parents. The health visitor and school nurse can be accessed through a referral from the GP. The previous health visitor for a child will also make a referral to the new health visitor. A school can make a referral to a school nurse.

Health visitors can refer to other services such as speech and language, physiotherapy, occupational therapy or a paediatrician. They can also draw in other services such as a nursery nurse who can visit more regularly to provide support around sleeping or feeding difficulties.

School nurses work in primary and secondary school. They can undertake a holistic assessment and then refer to appropriate services. These referrals can include sign posting to sexual health clinics, smoking advice centres as well as other professionals such as a paediatrician, occupational therapist or speech therapists.

NHS services

The NHS provides a range of services which include physical and mental health needs. Your GP, health visitor or school nurse can help to explore the difference between normal child developmental needs and the additional needs children can have due to trauma and make appropriate referrals.

Useful resources for parents

The websites below offer advice around immunisations, speech and language, toilet training; home activities; sleeping, crying, weaning/diet, minor health needs.

NHS mental health services for children, young people and adults

Parenting can present challenges with the many issues children face whilst navigating their way through life. The NHS website offers advice with regards to the many challenges which school age children/young people face such as exam anxiety, bereavement, depression, aggression and stress. You can access help via the GP or alternatively self-refer online.

Specialists assessments

Local authority services

Every local authority has a statutory responsibly under Section 22(3) of the Children Act 1989, to provide in the educational, social and emotional wellbeing of the children living within their local authority.

Early help keywork

Early help keywork is one of the ways in which the health and welfare of children can be met early on without the direct involvement of a social worker. Early Help Keyworkers work in partnership with the family for an extended period of time. They:

  • identify strengths and issues
  • agree priorities for change
  • provide support and challenge.

Specialist teams regarding drug and alcohol

Social work support

Should the need arise, the keywork team, your child's school or your GP can refer your family to access support via a social work team who will work with your whole family.

Each local authority will have their own referral process:

Brighton and Hove

Front Door for Families
Email: FrontDoorForFamilies@Brighton-Hove.gov.uk
Telephone: 01273 293545

East Sussex

Single Point of Advice (SPOA)
Email: 0–19.SPOA@eastsussex.gov.uk
Telephone: 01323 464222

Surrey

Surrey Family Information Services
Email: surrey.fis@surreycc.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 200 1004 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)
Text: 07860 053 465

West Sussex

The West Sussex Integrated Front Door (IFD)
Email: WSChildrenServices@westsussex.gov.uk
Telephone: 01403 229900

Specialist organisations

As a parent you may find yourself having to support your child with challenges you have not faced yourself. There are a number of specialist charities and independent agencies who can offer support.

Child on parent violence

Death and loss

Eating disorders

Promoting safe relationships

Respite care

Self-harm, low mood and suicide help

Substance misuse support

Young people at risk of exploitation and survivors

Youth offending

Therapies

You can access therapy privately or through a Post Adoption Support Assessment (PASA). The PASA is a dynamic process whereby adoptive families, other agencies and the adoption social worker will jointly explore the adoption needs of your child. The most appropriate therapy will be recommended but it might also be that the PASA recommends a universal service for example a referral to CAMHS for an assessment of a different need. The Adoption Support Fund, which can be applied for by ASE to pay for the therapy, identifies the different therapies which the PASA could recommend. If you think your child needs a Post Adoption Support Assessment you can apply to your local team via these contact details.

What therapies are available through the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund?

Adoption South East (ASE) can only apply for the assessments and type of therapy which First for Adoption has set out in its guidance on therapies and services. These therapies include:

ASE approved therapeutic providers for the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund

The Adoption Support Fund require each Regional Adoption Agency to undertake the necessary checks and agreements with service providers. Adoption South East, undertakes a tendering process with service providers to ensure that they meet the criteria.

The following agencies and therapists have undertaken this process and been approved by ASE:

Therapeutic needs assessment

Play therapies

Creative therapies

Therapeutic life story work

Sensory integration processing therapy/Occupational therapists

Group programmes

Psychotherapy

Therapeutic/attachment focused parenting support and programmes