Wigan CAMHS Mental Health Support Team (MHST)

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

• worry (generalised anxiety) - worry management
• specific phobias – graded exposure
• low mood – behavioural activation
• sleep problems
• parenting for anxiety (under 12s)
• self-esteem

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

From April 2024 to April 2025, Wigan MHST provided support to over 700 young people within the 38 schools who have opted-in to receive MHST support. This was achieved using one-to-one interventions, group work sessions or effective signposting to the appropriate services. Less than 3% of the young people were ever re-referred though the service requesting further support. Over this period less than 2% then needed an onward referral to more intensive support services.

The goal for the future is for MHST teams to span 100% coverage of schools by 2029/2030 to provide, effective, low intensity, early interventions to young people and families in need. 

The MHST is not an emergency service. If you have an immediate concern for the safety or wellbeing 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.

Each referral received to the MHST team will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The MHST team do not offer interventions for systemic difficulties, bereavement, bullying, anger, emotional regulation, risk management or trauma. 

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

If you are a MHST school and you would like to refer a child for brief intervention, please use the following process:

• Request consent from the young person and their parent for the referral to be made.
• Complete a Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS) questionnaire with the young person and parent.
• Complete a referral and consent form by downloading here:  Wigan MHST Referral Form.docx.
• Send the completed form to  wiganmhst@gmmh.nhs.uk.

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

Once you have submitted a referral, the following process will occur:

• You will be contacted by a MHST practitioner for a ‘School Consultation’ (we aim to complete this within 14 days).
• We will then contact the parent to complete a ‘Parent Consultation’.
• If, at this point, the MHST decide that brief intervention may be suitable for the child/young person, we will organise an initial assessment with the child/young person. If not, suitable signposting will be provided. 
• If, after the assessment, we decide that brief intervention is suitable for the child/young person, we will schedule 6 to 8 sessions. These can be delivered in school, over Microsoft Teams, or at Wigan Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). In some instances, appointments can be facilitated at local family hubs dependent on their availability. 

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

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

A referral can be made by the designated mental health lead or their deputies at the young person’s college. This referral will help determine young person’s suitability to access the MHST offer and providing valuable support for their wellbeing.

• Complete a Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS) questionnaire with the young person.
• Complete a referral form by downloading referral form for College here: Wigan MHST Referral Form.docx.
• Send the completed form and RCADS to wiganmhst@gmmh.nhs.uk.

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

Once a referral has been submitted by college, the following process will occur:

• Referral will be discussed in the MHST weekly referral meeting.
• If, at this point, the MHST decide that brief intervention may be suitable for the young person, we will organise an initial assessment with the young person. If further information is required, college may be asked for a consultation to explore the difficulties in more depth. 
• If, after the assessment, we decide that brief intervention is suitable for the young person, we will schedule 6-8 sessions. These can be delivered in college, over Microsoft Teams, or at Wigan Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). In some instances, appointments can be facilitated at local family hubs dependent on their availability.

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