Liverpool and Sefton Mental Health Support Team (MHST)

About Liverpool and Sefton MHST

Mental Health Support Teams in Schools (MHST) are part of a national programme to reduce inequalities and increase access to mental health support for children and young people.

The Alder Hey MHST’s work with over 160 schools across Liverpool and Sefton, in collaboration with partner agencies within the Education Mental Health Teams (EMHT).

The teams offer support to children and young people who are experiencing:

low mood
worry
anxiety and avoidance (eg simple phobias or separation anxiety)
sleep difficulties

The team can provide techniques and strategies to children and young people, either on a direct 1:1 basis, or within school groups. MHST also work closely with parents/carers to help them understand and support their child’s mental health.

The team work collaboratively with the school’s mental health lead and senior leadership team to raise awareness and promote better mental health for everyone as part of the ‘Whole School and College Approach’.

MHST Structure

The MHST is a multi-disciplinary team comprising of Clinical Leads, Team Leads, Mental Health Practitioners and Education Mental Health Practitioners (EMHP’s) who work directly with schools, parents, children and young people. EMHPs are trained to deliver evidence-based early-interventions, which includes Low Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Li-CBT).

Support offered by Liverpool and Sefton MHST

MHST staff are trained to offer a range of interventions to support children and young people. We will deliver evidence-based interventions for mild-moderate mental health issues in one of the following ways:

Individual face-to-face work: Low-intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (LI-CBT) interventions for children, young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health concerns based on up-to-date evidence.
Group work: Both targeted and whole school group work tailored to identified need.
Group parenting classes: Currently offered virtually.
Whole school approach: Including staff training, whole school assemblies, workshops and being involved in health fairs
Sessions provided in education settings with the option for virtual contacts outside of term time. MHST will ensure adherence to appropriate Covid-secure measures to maintain the safety of all concerned.

What is low intensity CBT?

CBT involves the EMHP working with the individual to focus on their mental health concern, in particular their thoughts and feelings, and the impact it is having on them. The EMHP will work with the young person to develop a toolkit of practical strategies and coping mechanisms to help them deal with difficult situations when they arise.

CBT is a talking therapy, based upon the understanding that thoughts, feelings, physical sensations and actions are interconnected. It suggests that negative thoughts and feelings can trap the individual in a cycle and helps to identify ways to break that cycle.

Referral criteria

MHST provides support to children and young people aged 5-18 years (in education) who attend one of the participating schools. MHST is an early-intervention service for children and young people who are experiencing low to moderate mental health concerns.

Referral process

Mental health concerns regarding specific children and young people are referred by the school’s mental health lead following discussion with the MHST team. Consent is obtained from parents/carers prior to consultation. Advice and signposting to other appropriate services can also be provided by MHST.