Make a referral

How to make a referral to the Build Sound Minds Derby and Derbyshire service.

Action for Children have a really simple referral process.

REFERRAL CRITERIA

The Build Sound Minds Service is an inclusive service for all. We will work with children/young people from 0 to 17 years and their families where there is mild to moderate emotional or behavioural difficulties or concerns around emotional wellbeing who are below the threshold of CAMHS but above the level of need which universal services can support. The child or young person must be registered with a GP that’s within Derbyshire or Derby City.

Before completing a referral please note the following;  

• We are a short-term service providing support to children and young people who are experiencing mild to moderate mental health issues and their families.  
• We are not a crisis intervention service. 
• For primary school aged children, we generally provide parent support in the form of groups and workshops. This is because the evidence suggests that this is more effective than 1:1 short term interventions for this group of children. 
• We will be unable to accept referral forms which are not fully completed. 

TYPES OF REFERRALS & WHO WE SUPPORT

We provide support to a wide range of young people who are facing a range of issues including:

• Children and young people from 0 - 17 years of age who are registered with a GP in Derbyshire County or Derby City
• Family difficulties - where these are having an adverse effect and the child or young person is showing signs of developing a mental health problem or disorder
• Emotional and behavioural difficulties (Mild to moderate)
• Behaviour problems once physical causes have been considered and the behaviour falls outside what might be considered to be within the range of normal behaviour
• Anxiety, depression, stress and or other mood difficulties
• Adjustment reactions (i.e. managing transition, change)
• Simple phobias
• Self-harm - where this is mild to moderate
• Bullying where this is having a significant impact on emotional wellbeing (direct/indirect/cyber)
• Difficulty managing angry feelings
• Relationship difficulties
• Parental need where support in managing and understanding behaviour could be beneficial

WHAT WE CAN OFFER

Psychologically informed interventions with children/young people and families, which is focused and time limited and where a short-term intervention is indicated, as per the NICE guidelines

• Age appropriate group interventions with children/young people and parents
• Face to Face and digital interventions where the focus is on positive parenting
• Digital interventions for children and young people aged 11-14
• Individual psychological interventions (6-8 sessions)
• Group psychological interventions
• Telephone transition support for 15-17 year olds
• Targeted school based programmes and ‘Train the Trainer’ offer to school
• Access to short term family interventions run by a Systemic Practitioner
• Information and advice on signposting local services available to children and families
• Consultation based support to professionals working with children/young people and families
• Telephone consultation to other agencies and professionals.

WHAT WE CANNOT OFFER

The Build Sound Minds Service are not able to provide direct assistance when:

• Children, young people and their families are currently in receipt of mental health interventions from other agencies (excluding the Kooth service)
• Children and young people presenting with lower level emerging needs and emotional wellbeing issues who could be supported by universal services
• Child or young person is not willing to engage
• Parent/person with parental responsibility does not consent (where child/young person is under 16)
• Referrals where another service would be more appropriate

• Complexity of presentation is not suitable for short term intervention – e.g. longer term mental health difficulties
• Where there is a history of complex trauma
• The child is in a current mental health crisis*
• Self-harm which is severe in nature and requires urgent medical attention or where there is a risk of death by misadventure
• Substance misuse is the primary presenting problem
• The neuro developmental presentation of the child or young person is severe and enduring and would not be supported by a short-term intervention
• Where the referrer believes a child or young person requires a neuro-developmental assessment and this is the purpose of the referral

 * Mental Health Crisis

A situation that a child, young person, parent, carer or any other person believes requires emergency support, assistance and care to prevent an acute and immediate risk to life or mental health.

Please click on the links for more information about how to make a referral.