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What is the Young People’s Team?
This is a specialist team who work with certain groups of young people (aged between 0-18 years) who are struggling with their mental health. To be treated by the Young People’s Team (YPT) you will have certain circumstances that means you can access their specialist service. For example, you may be a Looked After Child in foster or residential care, you might be adopted or you might be an Unaccompanied Young Asylum Seeker. Other teens who access this service may be experiencing homelessness or be involved with the Youth Offending Service. The team will decide with service is right for you based on your circumstances so you don’t have to worry – the team will direct your referral to the correct place.
Who can refer to the YPT?
There are many professionals that might refer you to the YPT. These include your doctor, paediatrician, LAC nurse, social worker or someone from the Mental Health Team in School. You are not able to self-refer to this service but talk to a trusted adult if you are struggling with your mental health.
Who are the Young People’s Team?
The YPT team is a group of healthcare professionals who specialise in mental health issues, The Team includes consultant psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, mental health practitioners, occupational therapists and peer mentors. They work with you and any adults who support you to create a joint plan to help you achieve better mental health.
Where are the Young People’s Team based?
If it’s possible for you to be there, then you will be seen at Westcotes House which is near Leicester City Centre. When you check in there, you will be able to see the team members photos as they are displayed on an apple tree painting on the wall of reception.
What do they do?
The Young People’s Team will allocate a person called a Lead Practitioner (this will be a nurse, psychologist, doctor or mental health practitioner) to meet with you and your family to assess your current mental health and decide what the best way forward is for you. An assessment simply means that Mental Health Professional will talk to you and listen to you to gather information about your mental health. They will also complete some questionnaires either before or during the initial appointment. Your family or adults that support will be invited to join in this conversation. By the end of the assessment, which usually takes around 1 hour to 1 and a half hours, there will be a plan. Your Lead Practitioner will continue to check in with you after this assessment to manage your care after this point.
What will happen once I’ve been referred to the Young People’s Team?
What happens next will depend on the outcome of the assessment. The Team will jointly create and agree an action plan with you to fit with your circumstances. It may suggest further treatment by the team or referring onto a different specialist in mental health. You might be signposted to a specialist agency who operate in the area you live within or the adults that support you might be offered a place in some groups to learn new ways to help you with your mental health. Whatever the outcome of your assessment, you will have an action plan to help you. Your Lead Practitioner might also speak to other people, like school or your GP or social worker to make sure they know the best way to support you.
If you need urgent help for your mental health, you can call the Central Access Point (CAP) on 0808 800 3302 who have an 24 hours urgent mental health support line. You can also
