Services in Leeds for young people

MindMate SPA

There is a Single Point of Access (SPA) in Leeds, which directs children/young people to the most suitable support. Healthcare professionals, social workers and some education staff can refer to SPA, or families/young people can make self-referrals by calling 0300 555 0324 during office hours or completing the online form.

Before a referral to MindMate SPA, advise families to seek support from within education settings. A referral to MindMate SPA is not a direct referral to CAMHS as there may be a variety of outcomes.

Mental health support within schools

All schools in Leeds offer early support for mental health difficulties. Schools that are part of a cluster (a group of schools working together) offer MindMate Wellbeing which includes family support, group work and counselling. Other schools that are not in clusters still provide or buy-in mental health support from professionals, but the exact offer will be different in each school.

Some schools and all colleges can also access The MindMate Support Team, who provide early emotional wellbeing support for young people up to 19 years old in some education settings across Leeds (see which settings here). The MMST have produced a set of self-help workbooks with guides for using for these with young people for professionals

Specialist Public Health Nurses (previously known as School Nurses) offer direct emotional health support to children and young people who are on a Child Protection Plan. They also run Chat Health which is a universal text support service for 11 to 19 year olds.

Schools can also access a variety of specific support such as the Social Emotional Mental Health Inclusion workers orEducational Psychologists.

CAMHS

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) provide assessment and therapy to children and young people up to the age of 18 who have emotional or behavioural problems or other mental health difficulties, if their needs cannot be met by support within education settings.

There is no direct referral to CAMHS, referrals for emotional support should be made to MindMate SPA who may refer onto CAMHS if most appropriate service.

Leeds CAMHS includes a variety of teams including Children’s Wellbeing Practitioners; Leeds CAMHS Learning Disabilities Team Eating Disorder Team Neurodevelopmental Assessment.

The Therapeutic Social Work team

The Therapeutic Social Work team is staffed by social workers, therapists and psychologists. If the young person is looked after; a care leaver (up to 25 years old); subject to a child protection plan or supervision order; you can talk to the team about how to access therapeutic support on 0113 3781800. They may already be aware of the child or young person who you’re concerned about. Find out more via our one-minute guide to the Leeds Therapeutic Social Work team

Young people and families can access the following community services directly, with no referral required

KOOTH online counselling

Kooth is a free, safe and anonymous online service for 11-18 year olds where young people can chat 1-2-1 with BACP accredited counsellors, access self-help articles 24/7 and connect with peers through live moderated forums. Young people can access Kooth directly.

The Market Place

The Market Place offers a drop-in service, long-term and short-term counselling, bereavement counselling, wellbeing workshops, youth work support, and crisis counselling for 11 – 25 year olds in Leeds city centre. Access is by self-referral via the Market Place.

Care Leavers

The Market Place offer faster access to longer-term counselling for young people who are Looked After or are Care Leavers.

Teen Connect

Teen Connect provides out of hours telephone or online support for young people in Leeds (11-18years) who feel they are in mental health crisis.  Open 3.30 p.m. – 2 a.m. every night of the year. Provided by Leeds Survivor Led Crisis Services in partnership with The Market Place.

Safe Zone

Safe Zone offers face-to-face crisis support for 11-17 year olds in Leeds every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 5pm-10pm. To make a referral, call 0113 8198189. Referrals run on a first come first service basis. Free taxis.

Night OWLS

Night OWLS is a confidential support line, 8pm–8am every night for all children, young people, and parents/carers in West Yorkshire – Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds, and Wakefield. The service is delivered by Leeds Survivor Led Crisis Service.

Call Night OWLS on 0800 1488244

Leeds CAMHS Crisis Call line

Young people up to 18 years old struggling to cope and parents worried about their child can call Crisis Call Line free. Offers support by listening, supporting, advising and signposting. Professionals can also call for advice if supporting a child or young person in crisis.

Leeds CAMHS Crisis Call is open 8am – 8pm, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. 0800 953 0505.

Child Bereavement UK Leeds

Child Bereavement UK Leeds offers support to children and young people who have been bereaved of a close family member. The service is for Leeds young people up to and including age 18, providing general advice, advocacy, one to one and group support Contact them by phone 01133 503598, on email leedssupport@childbereavementuk.org 

Leeds Young People’s Mediation Service

Leeds Young People’s Mediation Service (Gipsil, The Beck) aims to improve the relationship between parent/ carers and their young person. Available to young people aged 10-18 and their families.

Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service

Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service or LMWS (formally knows as IAPT) can support people from 17 years and provide mental health support and a range of psychological therapies to help people who are struggling with anxiety and depression.

Leeds Survivor Led Crisis Service

In addition to Teen Connect, SafeZone and NightOwls, LSLCS provides emotional support to people in crisis aged 16+ The team can be contacted on 0113 260 9328 or visit Leeds Survivor Led Crisis Service.

GP support

The young person’s GP (General Medical Practitioner) can offer confidential and regular support for psychological distress and physical injuries of self-harm. Although not an emergency service, quick access to advice and, if necessary, an appointment, should usually be available for urgent matters.

GPs are advised to follow MindMate-for-GPs.pdf

Emergency Department (A&E)

If someone has seriously injured themselves or taken an overdose, it is important that they get immediate medical treatment from the Emergency Department (also known as A&E). In an emergency, call 999.

See Leeds guide for supporting yougn people who self-harm or feel suicidal

Useful links