Published on: 24th February 2021

Stockport Healthy Young Minds update – 24 February

We currently have longer delays than usual for some of our routine mental health appointments and social communication assessments for children and young people.

At the start of the covid pandemic, we had to move from our permanent base at The Treehouse children’s unit at Stepping Hill Hospital. As a result we have fewer appointments available in our temporary bases and through telephone and video appointments.

We have also seen an increase in the number of children and young people referred to us and young people known to us in crisis. Understandably, we have had to prioritise these young people to ensure their needs are met and they are kept safe from any harm.

Social communication assessment

We unfortunately are unable to provide face-to-face assessments at this current time. To keep everyone safe we all have to wear face masks which impacts on how we record and evaluate face-to-face assessments.

We do have extra support through another provider who will be able to deliver video assessments for some children and young people. If we feel your child would benefit from a video assessment a letter will be sent to you.

Please be assured that we are continually reviewing the waiting list and children and young people will be offered an appointment as soon as one becomes available.

Further information and support is also available in Stockport through:

  • Local Offer Support - a range of support services and information from the Stockport local offer website.
  • Kooth.com - a free online counselling service for children aged between 11-18 years. They offer counselling support the same day a child/young person makes contact and they offer a variety of tools to help build up resilience and support emotional wellbeing.
  • Pact Stockport - Parents and Carers Together Stockport (PACTS) is our parent carer forum. They offer support to parent/carers as well as recorded online webinars by professionals on a range of topics (including emotional wellbeing) to help families.