Introduction to Mental Health (MH) Therapy Provision

It is increasingly common for children and young people (CYP) to experience mental health issues.  Being hearing impaired, our CYP have even more to contend with.  CAMHS and Deaf CAMHS are all in high demand and waiting lists for referrals and for appointments are very long.  Surrey Deaf Children Society (SDCS) recognise the urgency and importance of this provision.  Therefore, we offer mental health therapy via different pathways to our CYP, depending on their age, method of communication and location.  If you (i.e. parents/carers/young person in self-referral cases) would like to use this service for a child/young person, please read the guidelines below.

In order for a child or young person to qualify for the therapy, their parents or carers need to be SDCS members.  The CYP has to be under 21 years old and have a permanent hearing loss (unfortunately glue ears cases cannot be considered due to the financial constraints).

Objectives

  1. To meet the need for mental health provision for CYP of SDCS whilst they are waiting for initial assessment or therapy from CAMHS or NHS.
  2. SDCS’s role is to sign-post CYP to relevant agencies and/or to fund a block of 6-8 counselling/therapy sessions and then subject to review by the therapist and SDCS (including funding allocation).
  3. SDCS is proposing therapy as a short-term block and any therapy offered is not intended to replace NHS provision.

How does it work

  1. To apply for this service, you need to return the referral form. No information about the mental health status of the CYP is required. By returning the referral form, you give SDCS permission to pass on this information to the therapist/provider.
  2. Your therapist may require you to provide the background information and personal data of the CYP. You may need to sign a data protection form and consent form for the therapist.
  3. Therapy is based on an initial assessment. The therapist will confirm with you after this first visit whether the CYP is eligible or suitable for therapy.
  4. Legal Consent:
    1. For under 16s, a written consent is required on the application form either from parents or carer.  If the CYP wishes to receive therapy without parental/carer’s knowledge or approval, they can refer and give consent themselves but the success of the application will be subject to a satisfactory Gillick Competency Test1, as assessed by the therapist.
    2. For over 16, CYP’s and/or parental consent is required.
    3. For over 18, CYP’s consent is required.
  5. The counselling is one-to-one and confidential, parents/carers may not be able to observe the session or expect information or discussion from the therapist about the content of the appointment. We understand that some CYP may wish to apply for therapy sessions themselves, without parents knowing.  In that case, we will respect the wishes and confidentiality of CYP but also in line with safeguarding and child protection principles.
  6. You and the therapist will agree and decide if the session is held online or face-to-face at the therapist’s practice or at school.
  7. It is your responsibility to check and satisfy yourself as to the therapist’s relevant qualifications, DBS Certificate, professional membership and public liability insurance.
  8. You must satisfy yourself with the therapist’s standard of compliance in terms of safeguarding and health and safety. If you have any concerns, you should consider terminating the service.   SDCS takes no responsibility for these issues.   Any complaints or disputes are strictly between the therapy provider and yourself.
  9. Due to financial constraints, therapy sessions are to be offered in blocks. We can offer a maximum of an 8-week block at a time (either weekly or fortnightly or monthly – as agreed between you and the therapist).  If more sessions are provided, parents might be asked to make contributions to cover part of the fees so that these free therapy sessions can be made available to another CYP.  These valuable free or subsidised sessions are not ongoing indefinitely.
  10. Each session will last about 50 minutes. Please arrange for your own transport and arrive on time.
  11. You will be asked to sign the timesheet to confirm the therapist session has taken place. The therapist deals directly with SDCS treasurer.
  12. If you need to cancel or re-schedule the session, a minimum of a week’s notice is required to be given to the therapist directly, or SDCS will still be charged for the full fee. In case of unforeseeable circumstances such as illness, emergency or travel problems etc., please notify the therapist at the earliest instance.  If there are two DNAs (Do Not Attend) without valid reasons nor prior notice, you will be removed from the list and your therapy sessions will be discontinued.
  13. While SDCS and the therapist will always respect the confidentiality of the CYP and their family, the Designated Safeguarding Lead of the School/College or of the Local Authority might be contacted if the therapist has any safeguarding concerns for the CYP or the persons known to the CYP.
  14. The role of SDCS in this initiative is restricted to referral and financial contribution, therefore, SDCS bears no responsibilities for the undertaking and the outcomes of the therapy sessions.
  15. Depending on the availability of the therapist, after referral, you may be put on a waiting list.
  16. By signing the SDCS MH Therapy Application Form, you agree to all the terms and conditions as set above.
  17. Please email dakin@btinternet.com for the information about the current therapist.