Haringey Adolescent Outreach Team (AOT)

What our service does

We are a multi-disciplinary, community-based, outreach service working with young people from 12 years old up to 18 years, where there are marked concerns about the mental health and emotional well-being.

We are an acute emergency response service and we work with young people presenting with serious mental health needs such as severe depression, repeated deliberate self-harm and attempted suicide.

We are part of the Early Intervention Service (EIS) pathway for young people where there may be concerns about possible psychosis or other more enduring mental health concerns.

Whilst we are not a specialist learning disability team, some of the young people accessing our service will have complex needs, which very often means that mental and emotional difficulties and learning disabilities co-exist. We therefore work closely with other colleagues and agencies to ensure that a responsive package of care that meets the needs of the whole young person is provided.

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Where the service is located and the areas it covers

AOT is based at H Block, 1st Floor, St Ann’s Hospital. However, as an outreach service we provide our service in the community in schools, youth centres, at the young person’s home or any other place (within reason – typically within an hour’s driving distance) that is preferable to the young people involved.

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Who our service provides for

We offer assessments and short-term interventions and treatment programmes for young people aged between 12 and 18 years) and their families. These appointments can be offered at clinic, at home, at school or anywhere that might feel more comfortable for the young person.

We also offer consultations to professional networks, agencies or schools.

Our aim is to improve the mental health of young people in order to help them feel they can achieve to their potential.

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How a young person can start using the service

We accept referral from any professional in Health, Social Care, Education, the Police or Voluntary Sector.

All referrals are to be made to CAMHS Access (single point-of-entry).
Telephone number: 020 8342 5927.

The referrals are screened by CAMHS Access and, if appropriate, passed on to the Haringey Adolescent Outreach Team. We do, however, welcome direct calls to the Haringey Adolescent Outreach Team to discuss possible referrals or consultations.

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How decisions are made about eligibility for our service

The Adolescent Outreach Team make decisions about eligibility to use the service based on severity, risk and the need for an outreach service, for example where a young person is unable or unwilling to attend an out-patient clinic environment.

Eligibility criteria:

1. Between 12-18 years old: the young person must be young enough to complete a comprehensive assessment (4 weeks) before their 18th birthday. If not, they would need to be referred directly to adult services for intervention. There may be occasions when a young person is referred at age 11, this would be accepted where the 12 birthday would fall within the four week assessment period.

2. Sufficient severity: discharge from an in-patient unit, especially if admission involved use of the MHA, Previous in-patient admissions.

Crisis/Risk situation such as significant self-harm, suicide intent, significant family discord/traumatic events – CAMHS Access will be asked to complete a Current View as a screening tool to help determine sufficient severity.

3. Diagnostic category: emerging Psychosis/Psychotic illness.

4. Requirement for Outreach: in situations where it is known that a young person is unable to attend clinic based services, e.g. severe agoraphobia.

In situations where there is a history of recent non-engagement and concern exists re risk/level of need.

There is a referrals meeting very Monday morning. If the child does not meet the referral criteria for AOT, the child may been seen by the generic service if the generic service eligibility criteria are met, or we assist in signposting to other community services.

Within five working days of receipt of referral by AOT the young person (and parents/carers where appropriate) are contacted by phone to arrange the first appointment. A follow up letter will be sent out by AOT (with the GP and referrer cc’d). In addition, the young person will be sent a text (or phoned) with a reminder the day before to confirm attendance. Interpreters are arranged as needed.

The process of assessment is explained to the young person, and their family or carers as appropriate. Consent and explanation of confidentiality regarding sharing of information and a provisional plan is made at first appointment.

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How accessible our service is

As an outreach service we usually prefer to see children in school or home or any other location that is preferable to the young person themselves, rather than at St Ann’s Hospital.

We offer telephone appointments/support and reviews if needed, for example with parents/carers or other agencies and young people or their parents/carers can phone and leave messages with the service to be contacted promptly (within two working days).

Urgent issues are of course prioritised and a member of the team is on call every day to respond to such calls.

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Training our staff have had in supporting children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities

All the team are highly qualified in management of children with mental health, emotional and psychological difficulties and some members of the team have had specialist post graduate training in autism and other neurodevelopmental problems.

Consultant Child Psychiatrist – medical doctor with postgraduate training in paediatrics and psychiatry

Psychologists are both highly specialist and have doctorates

Specialist training in Pharmacology

Specialist training in specific therapeutic modalities including: Systemic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Adolescents (IPT –A), Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).

Up to date continuous professional development for safeguarding, health and safety, risk assessment, breakaway training, information governance.

All staff are registered with the relevant professional bodies.

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Who a service user should contact if they want to raise a concern or complain about something

A service user who wishes to raise a concern or complain about something can contact

• Fidelis Chibwe, Interim Team Manager, Haringey CAMHS
• Email: Fidelis.Chibwe@beh-mht.nhs.uk
• Telephone: 020 8342 5900

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Who a parent carer/young person can contact for further information

We are open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.

Our contact details are:

Address:

Haringey Adolescent Outreach Team
St Ann’s Hospital
First Floor, H Block
St Ann’s Road
Tottenham
London N15 3TH

Telephone: 020 8702 6280
Fax: 020 8702 6281

Email: HAOT@beh-mht.nhs.uk

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