Support for 16-25 year-olds

1 Overview

The Early Help service's progressive 'universal' offer is developed on the West Sussex Continuum of Need and the Healthy Child Programme's four levels of service. This means some services are open to all children and families, while other elements of the offer are more targeted and specialist.

The universal offer is available to all children, young people and families in addition to any targeted or specialist support that they may be receiving at levels 2 and/or 3.

If you require further information, please contact your local Early Help hub.

Note: Depending on whether a young person attends secondary school or college, our offer for 16 year-olds can overlap.

2 Level 1 (universal services)

Level 1 universal services are available to all children, young people and families.

For 16-25 year-olds, they include:

• access to the Duke of Edinburgh Award programme
• access to the Youth Cabinet and West Sussex Youth Parliament
• access to the ChatHealth texting service
• access to Find It Out services
• access to the Your Space website
• access to Free Your Mind – young people’s emotional health and wellbeing campaign group
• National Citizen Service programme
• the offer of a termly conversation for each further education college.

3 Level 2

Level 2 services are available on a needs basis in addition to the level 1 universal offer.

For 16-25 year-olds, they include:

• referrals to other agencies/specialist services
• advice or support on an identified health need, such as emotional or sexual health, minor illness/accident prevention or behaviour (6-8 sessions, either 1-1 or in a small group)
• support from the Healthy Futures team for vulnerable children, young people and families with complex child development, health, emotional and social needs
• Youth Emotional Support (YES) service for young people aged 11-18 who have issues that are affecting their wellbeing
• special education needs and disability (SEND) support for 16-25 year-olds on transition to adulthood. This is provided by Barnardo’s within the Healthy Futures team.

4 Level 3

Level 3 services are available on a needs basis in addition to the universal and level 2 offer.

For 16 - 25 year-olds, they include:

• information, support, advice and signposting from West Sussex Young Carers service, which supports young carers aged 5-18
• Family Nurse Partnership (FNP) support for young parents
• advice or support on an identified health need such as emotional or sexual health, minor illness/accident prevention or behaviour (6-8 sessions, either 1-1 or in a small group)
• support from the Healthy Futures team for vulnerable children, young people and families with complex child development, health, emotional and social needs
• support from the Youth Emotional Support (YES) service for young people aged 11-18
• YES specialist workers for those moving out of secure children’s homes and for high risk adolescents who are at risk of being placed in secure accommodation
• special education needs and disability (SEND) support for 16-25 year-olds on transition to adulthood, provided by Barnardo’s within the Healthy Futures team
• youth homeless prevention support for 16-17 year-olds that present as homeless. Help is also provided to resolve housing issues and refer the young person on for further support if required.

5 Level 4

Level 4 services are delivered in addition to the universal and levels 2 and 3 services offer as part of a specialist delivery offer.

For 16-25 year-olds, they include:

• Youth Offending Services
• health support for children and young people who are subject to a child protection plan
• enhanced Healthy Child Programme service delivery to all children who are looked after
• an allocated personal advisor (PA) for all care leavers aged 17-25 years (up to 25 years from April 2018)
• youth emotional support (YES) specialist workers for young people aged 11-18 who are moving out of secure children’s homes, and for high risk adolescents who are at risk of being placed in secure accommodation
• 1-1 support or intervention with a child, young person or family where there is an identified health and safeguarding need, such as a child protection plan, child and family plan, Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC), Missing and Child Sexual Exploitation (MaCSE) involvement, or the child or young person is looked after.

6 Referrals

GPs can access help and support for children and young people by making a direct referral. Please use the relevant form provided on the section linked below.

NHS West Sussex Partnership Single Point of Access (ages 4-18)

The West Sussex Single Point of Access (SPoA) is a dedicated service which provides a simplified single route to access specialist emotional wellbeing and mental health support. The SPoA helps direct you to the right service, eliminating the need to refer to multiple services.

Led by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, the service is delivered in partnership with West Sussex County Council's Youth Emotional Support Service (YES) and YMCA Dialogue.

e-wellbeing is the digital front door for West Sussex SPoA. Visit the e-wellbeing website for the online referral form and more information.

If you are unable to complete the online referral form or have any questions about a referral, please email WestSussexSPOA@spft.nhs.uk or phone 030 030 40462.