Listen Up - Social Welfare Portal

listenup!Case Study 3 | 97Service catchment areaThe London Borough of Newham, with additional workin some of the surrounding East London boroughs.ReferralsCommunity Links accepts referrals from all professionals,as well as families, friends and self-referrals from youngpeople. Internal referrals within the different parts ofCommunity Links are also common.Referral details in January - March 2006Referral details were collected during this period bythe many different projects within Community Links.However, these were not available in a collated total.Referred young people’s details in January– March 2006Referral details were not available (see above).What the service offers• one-to-one counselling• therapeutic group work on specific areas• information and advice• creative arts, writing and poetry• sports• a safe social space• support in attending other services• drop-in• intensive support through crisis• support to young people in custody• childcare• advocacy• peer support• practical support into employment• outreach work in the community• mental health promotion.Family/carer involvementIn general, Community Links have found that theinvolvement of families can act as an additionalbarrier preventing young people from accessingthe service. However, workers are willing to contactfamilies or carers at the request of the young person,often to help resolve conflict or access support forthe rest of the family.Current programme prioritiesi. Education and prevention servicesThere are plans to continue to develop educationand prevention services for 14–19 year-olds and19–25 year-olds that are quick to respond to theever-changing emotional health and wellbeingneeds of young people.ii. Responding to early signs and symptoms ofmental health problemsThis will include the extended training for genericproject staff in being able to recognise thesesigns and symptoms and feel comfortable inproviding an appropriate response. In addition,there are plans to place mental health specialistswithin other parts of the service, to ensure bothongoing mental health promotion as well asprovision of immediate support to young peopleexperiencing crisis.iii. CounsellingThere are plans to increase the provision ofcounselling within the Community Links adviceand advocacy services for 14 - 25 year olds. Therewill be greater participation of young serviceusers in developing this aspect of the service.iv. Review of the serviceCommunity Links plans to undertake a fullanalysis of its current work.