Bolton Mental Health Support Team (MHST)

Our team of low-intensity practitioners consist of EMHPs (Education Mental Health Practitioners) and CYWPs (Children and Young People’s Wellbeing Practitioners), some of whom are currently training. Each low-intensity practitioner is able to provide interventions focussing on:

• Worry (Generalised Anxiety)
• Specific Phobias
• Low mood
• Sleep Problems
• Parenting for anxiety (under 12s)
• Parenting for behaviour (under 9s)

Each brief intervention consists of roughly 6-8 sessions, lasting 45 minutes to 1 hour.

The MHST is not an emergency service. If you have an immediate concern for the safety or well-being of a child at your school, please follow appropriate crisis pathways.

The service does not provide evidence-based interventions for children who are at a very high risk or those who present with some complex mental health disorders. We are happy to discuss these cases with you and provide you with advice.

How do I refer a child or young person for evidence-based intervention?

A referral can be made by the designated mental health lead at your child's school. This referral will help determine if your child's school is accessing the MHST offer, providing valuable support for their well-being

 

What happens after I refer a child for evidence-based intervention?

• Once a referral has been submitted by school, the following process will occur:
• A MHST practitioner will complete a ‘School Consultation’
• We will then contact the child or young person’s parent or guardian to complete a ‘Parent Consultation’
• If, at this point, the MHST decide that the child may be suitable for brief intervention, we will organise an initial assessment with the child.
• If, after the assessment, we decide that the child is suitable for brief intervention, we will schedule 6-8 sessions. These can be delivered in school, over MS Teams, or at Bolton CAMHS.

(If we decide that our interventions would not be suitable, we will give advice or offer signposting to an alternative service)