This service is available in select schools (list below) in:

Kensington & Chelsea Westminster

5113
sessions delivered in a 12-month period

95%

of referrals have had a full assessment within 28 days

This service offers support for young people across infant, primary, and secondary ages.

Following the outcome of the Green Paper for Transforming Children and young people’s mental health, we introduced Mental Health Support Teams across Westminster an Kensington & Chelsea. 

This service is delivered in collaboration with NHS England and the Department of Education as part of a national scheme to improve the wellbeing of young people.

Our Mental Health Support Teams support young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health needs.

We offer evidence-based 1:1 and group interventions to young people and parents/carers in 80 schools across Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea, delivered by Mental Health Practitioners (EMHPs/CWPs) and an Assistant Psychologist. 

Our service has a high uptake and completion rate, with 100% of users reporting it as helpful overall. We’ve seen significant improvements in symptom scores, consistently positive feedback from participants, and engagement from a diverse and inclusive group.

Westminster Schools     Kensington & Chelsea Schools

Infant age group

Through this service, we work on a 1:1 basis with families in their homes, across primary schools in our Westminster, and in three family hubs: Queens Park Children’s Centre, Bessborough Family Hub and Portman Early Childhood Centre.

  • We support parents concerned about their children’s feelings of overwhelm, frustration, behavioural difficulties, tantrums, and difficulty following routines.
  • Parents and carers of children between the ages of 0-5 can use the service to improve their relationships with their children, learn more about child development, learn parenting skills, and know what behaviours are normal for children through 1:1 support in the family hubs/primary schools, or over teams video calls.

To refer, please email [email protected] or call 07917909708.

Please note, we also accept referrals for younger siblings of children at one of the schools we work in.

Primary age group

This service is for parents looking for coping strategies to manage young people’s distress and increase resilience to future challenges. 

  • Evidence shows that working with parents and children, rather than working directly with the child is more effective for improving children’s health and wellbeing. This is a collaborative process.
  • Supplementary to this, we offer parent support groups, psychoeducation workshops, and mental health assemblies. Find out more here.
  • The 1:1 sessions with parents are:
    • 6-8 weekly sessions (at school/online)
    • 20-50 minutes long

To refer, speak to the mental health lead in your school. Referrals are assessed on an individual basis.

Secondary age group

We offer support to young people struggling with their emotions, including but not limited to:

  • Anxiety
  • Worry
  • Stress
  • Low mood
  • Fear
  • Overwhelm
  • Frustration
  • Emotional dysregulation

How the service is delivered:

  • 6-8 sessions
  • 1:1 support within school
  • Psychoeducational workshops and assemblies complement this work.

To self-refer, speak to the mental health lead in school or the young person’s head of year. Referrals are assessed on an individual basis.

Further details for referral

Most of our referrals come through schools, however you can also complete the form below. For the infant service, other health professionals based in family hubs can also support you with this.

Referral process:

  • Please check the list of schools at the top of the page. 
  • If we work in your school, you should speak to your designated mental health lead.
  • For young people under 16, referral forms must be completed by the school mental health lead or parents/carers. Additionally, the young person must consent to the referral.
  • Young people over 16 can self-refer via school mental health lead or our website.
  • Once we have received your referral form, we will be in touch.
  • If you have any questions, please email [email protected]

More School Services

  • This service is delivered in addition to a wider mental health education programme “Whole School Approach”, which delivers workshops to young people, families and staff, click here to learn more.
  • We can help with signposting and liaison advice, please speak to your designated mental health lead to request more information.
  • If you are a teacher in one of our Westminster schools looking for support, you can self-refer to our NHS Counselling & Psychotherapy service here.