Listen Up - Social Welfare Portal

listenup!Case Study 1 | 89ReferralsSNSU accepts self-referrals from young peoplealready using other Foyer services, and referrals fromFoyer support workers.Referral details in January-March 2006During this three-month period, there was a total of 12new referrals to SNSU’s initial counselling assessmentstage. Young people were often referred for morethan one reason, the main ones being low mood/depression (83%), anxiety/stress (42%), addiction (25%)and relationship problems (25%). 58% of individualsreferred during this period were assessed as having apotential risk of self-harm or suicide.Referred young people’s details in January– March 200658% of the young people were aged between 22and 25, and 42% were aged between 16 and 21. 58%were female and 42% male. 100% were White British.What the service offers• rapid response/follow-up to crisis• person-centred therapy• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy• staff advisory/consultation role• referral/signposting• advocacy• promotion of arts-based activities• student/volunteer placements (e.g. art therapystudent)• complementary therapies• health awareness campaigns (leaflets, posters,brochures).Family/carer involvementSNSU is designed to focus on the young person’sneeds, so working with family/carers is not a formalpart of the service. However, if a young person requeststhis type of support, staff can help them to exploreways of resolving difficulties and building bridges.Current programme prioritiesi. Monitoring and evaluationA pilot referral procedure has recently beenimplemented to promote better communicationand track referral pathways in-house. Staff nowmeet weekly to discuss new referrals, and thepattern of referrals from the different sites is beingmonitored. Staff have implemented the use of acounselling service monitoring and evaluationsystem called CORE (Clinical Outcomes in RoutineEvaluation). Staff are also being trained to useother project evaluation systems such as theWeaver’s Triangle and LEAP. Other methods includesuggestion boxes, focus groups, DVDs detailingyoung people’s views, and service exit evaluations.ii. Service delivery and capacityRapid organisational growth has lead to anincrease in the potential client base for SNSU(and other Foyer Health services). Explorationof how to maintain effective service delivery tothose in need is therefore a priority. The servicehas worked to do this through using studentcounsellors, health volunteers and, NHS healthvisitors, as well as providing self-help pointsand building an enhanced network of externalservices and referral routes.iii. Young person involvementYoung person involvement was central to SNSU’sinitial design and development. The service isprioritising the retention and improvement ofthis crucial involvement in its current and futuredevelopments. Many of the monitoring andevaluation methods would help achieve this priority.A Young Persons’ Forum already exists at AberdeenFoyer, but a dedicated Foyer Health forum for youngpeople could be another possibility.