Mental Health Support Team (Children and Young People) - NHFT

Mental Health Support Teams (MHST) have been created to offer early intervention, low intensity, mental health support within schools for children and young people with mild to moderate mental health difficulties.

The MHST will also support the Mental Health Lead in each education setting to introduce and develop their Whole School Approach. The MHST will also offer support and advice to education setting staff to identify the most appropriate services for their need and help liaise with other appropriate services.

Schools need to sign up to work with our team and referrals are made via the Mental Health Lead in the School. 

Each Mental Health Support Team is expected to deliver services to a population of around 8,000 pupils or up to 20 education settings in a given area.

MHST workforce include Educational Mental Health Practitioners who are trained in evidenced based interventions, alongside senior staff such as Mental Health Practitioners, CBT Therapists, and Specialist Mental Health Practitioners.

Education Mental Health Practitioners (EMHPs) are part of the government’s Mental Health Support Teams (MHST) plans for schools to provide mental health early intervention support for children and young people.

In Northamptonshire there are currently three teams based in Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough supporting schools in West Northamptonshire. 

Home educating families with children experiencing mild-to-moderate mental health difficulties can also access support from MHST by contacting CAMHS consultation line for a facilitated referral. (0800 170 7055 - Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm).

Please note that they are not working with all schools in each area.Referrals for support from the MHST are made via a school or professional and through the Referral Management Centre (RMC).