Categories:
Headteachers/Teachers/SEND officers in schools

NHS help for parents and carers of children struggling with mental health

A new service is now available in Oxfordshire to help parents and carers of children waiting to be seen by mental health services. Supportive Steps offers short-term clinical workshops designed to address mental health needs early. This follows a successful pilot and is now part of the ‘Getting Help’ package offered by Oxfordshire Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

What the Service Provides

  • Four one-hour online workshops for parents and carers.
  • Opportunities to connect with others who have lived experience of similar challenges.
  • Practical tips for managing issues such as low mood, anxiety, and early signs of depression.
  • Access to additional online workshops addressing specific mental health needs.
  • Potential 1:1 sessions with specialist mental health clinicians.
  • Pre-assessment clinical groups for young people waiting for assessment.
  • In-person workshops for further support.

The course is designed for parents or carers of young people referred to CAMHS’ Getting Help service (for mild to moderate mental health issues) and is also available to those referred to Getting More Help (for more complex needs).

Additional Support

For young people up to age 25, CAMHS offers We Are With You, a support programme available to anyone. It includes informal and formal meetings across Oxfordshire.

How to Access

  • Visit the Oxfordshire CAMHS website for full details of available courses.
  • Call Oxfordshire CAMHS Single Point of Access on 01865 902 515.