When Our Service Can Best Support You

We want every young person to receive support that feels safe, appropriate and genuinely helpful. We recognise that every young person is different, and we take a flexible, trauma-informed and individualised approach to assessment and intervention.

Our service is particularly well suited to young people who:

1. Feel able to engage in individual sessions
   We generally offer assessments and therapeutic sessions on a 1:1 basis, while recognising that some young people feel safer with a parent, carer or trusted adult nearby. We can explore flexible arrangements, including a parent or carer joining part or all of the initial assessment session where this helps the young person feel safe and able to engage. This may be particularly important for younger children and young people with additional needs. If a young person is unable to engage meaningfully in intervention sessions on a 1:1 basis, we will support by signposting you to more suitable services where possible.

2. Would benefit from therapeutic support alongside other services
   Our service complements, rather than replaces, specialist services such as CAMHS, paediatricians, educational psychologists and other health or medical professionals. Where appropriate, we will work alongside other professionals involved in a young person’s care.

3. Are looking for therapeutic rather than legal or statutory advice
   We are not able to provide legal advice, interpret EHCPs or advise on statutory entitlements or tribunal processes. Where appropriate, and with the young person’s consent, we may provide a therapeutic summary letter to support communication with other professionals or services.

4. Understand that decisions remain with the relevant professionals and agencies
   We provide therapeutic assessment, support and professional observations to help inform understanding of a young person’s needs. However, decisions about clinical treatment, diagnosis, education, statutory provision and other services remain the responsibility of the relevant professionals and organisations. We are unable to diagnose or initiate the diagnostic assessment process, or provide a direct route into CAMHS or other statutory services.

5. Are able to engage safely with the support offered
   We will consider each young person’s individual circumstances, communication style and support needs. Where a young person is currently finding 1:1 work particularly difficult, we will consider whether adaptations or an alternative type of support may be more appropriate.

   Our practitioners work from a neuro-affirming perspective and have undertaken relevant training to support inclusive, ethical and responsive practice with neurodivergent young people. While we welcome neurodivergent young people into our service, we are not a specialist neurodiversity service. Where the primary focus of support is understanding neurodiversity, services such as First Point may be better placed to meet these needs.

6. Can access a school, community or office-based setting, with reasonable adjustments where possible
   Our service is primarily delivered within school, community or office-based environments. We will explore reasonable adjustments to help young people feel comfortable and able to access sessions wherever possible.