First step

We provide a Psychological Health Screening Assessment, carried out using an evidence based screening tool, a form filled in by carers or social workers, for all looked-after children and young people in Haringey.  If children score above a certain threshold, then further intervention is recommended to their social worker or carer.

We also provide a family rehabilitation service to help children and their families when they go back home to live with their birth parents after a period of time in care.

We take an overview of the emotional, psychological and mental health needs of the entire looked after child population, including babies and young children, children with neuro-developmental needs, unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people (UASC), young people leaving care and those with undiagnosed learning needs.

We also provide a service called First Step Plus, working with children and young people in the care of Haringey who have had three or more placements over the last year and who are unable to access child mental health services locally. This service is often referred to through Haringey Social Services.  We work with the children and their key adults to try to stabilise their placement in order to improve their emotional wellbeing and increase their opportunities to access services.