Published on: 29th March 2023
A new approach has been developed to offer more support to people with complex, emotional and relationship needs.
Mental health professionals from Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust are now offering structured clinical management (SCM) to people experiencing challenges around healthy relationships, managing emotions and mood, impulsivity (managing urges to act quickly), self-harm and suicidal thoughts.
Structured clinical management is evidence-based and involves working compassionately with the person, their carers, and family to build problem solving skills and enable people to safely manage their emotions and behaviour. The aim is to enable them to live as independently as possible in their local community.
Structured clinical management is part of a dedicated “complex, emotional, and relational needs pathway”; launched by Pennine Care in 2022 as part of wider plans to transform community mental health teams. It was initially known as the personality disorder pathway but renamed after patients said the term was negative and unhelpful.
Making long lasting changes takes time, so structured clinical management supports individuals and their carers for up to two years. It involves four phases – assessment, socialisation, treatment, and transition to ending.
Dr Sheena Aspil (pictured), is a consultant clinical psychologist and one of Pennine Care’s clinical leads for the complex emotional and relational needs pathway. She said: “I’m really excited we can now offer people structured and evidence-based care.
“We’re compassionate and collaborative and take a trauma informed approach, which means asking what’s happened rather than what’s wrong. As the programme is intensive, combining weekly individual and group treatment, we have a smaller number of patients to support. This allows time for reflection and to build strong relationships with people’s carers, family, and local services.
“Although it’s early days and we’re still developing the pathway, we’re already receiving really positive feedback.”
Kelly Richards is a social worker and a structured clinical management practitioner. She said: “I have a passion for working with people who have complex emotional, and relational needs. This stems from my own personal journey and because I want to help make sure they aren’t stigmatised or excluded.
“Developing the pathway has been one of the best personal and professional experiences of my life. I’ve benefitted from amazing training, and work with the best team.
“My clients feel reassured, safe, and listened to. They finally understand where their difficulties have come from and have hope.
“I work with some of the most misunderstood and vulnerable people in society. I feel honoured to help change their lives for the better.”
Melanie is one of Kelly’s clients. She said: “I immediately clicked with Kelly, which was very special to me. She’s reassuring and her belief in me gets me through any bad days.
“She really listens and doesn’t rush me. She’s compassionate and understanding and gives me hope. She never makes me feel like I’ve done something wrong, or that I must conform or correct myself. I feel like I’ve had a visit from a professional friend.
“I feel very privileged to be one of the first people on this pathway and to work with Kelly, who’s an inspiration and a credit to her team. I’m so grateful to be given the opportunity to find myself again.”