Support services
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Support provision for primary-aged children has been compiled about the Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing (MHEW) support available in east Sussex
Support provision for secondary age children and young people has been compiled about the Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing (MHEW) support available in east Sussex
What local support is available?
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the external organisations included here are reputable and well-known to school communities, and that the information is correct, we cannot guarantee the quality of any agencies listed, nor take any responsibility for any services they may provide.
Allsorts - all ages, countywide
Supports and empowers lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans young people. Offers groups and 1:1 support with friendly and knowledgeable LGBT youth workers.
Chat Health - ages 11-19 & parents/carers of 5-19 year olds, countywide
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm
A confidential text-messaging service for young people aged 11-19 years, and parents/carers of 5-19 year olds, offering advice and support about health related issues including social, emotional and mental health. For support text 07507 332473 and the team will aim to respond within 24 hours during the working week.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) - up to age 18, countywide
CAMHS supports children and young people across East Sussex who have behavioural, emotional or mental health problems. Referrals to the service must be made by a parent/carer or professional working with the child to the East Sussex Single Point of Advice (SPoA)
More CAMHS resources for professionals, children and young people and parent carers.
Dragonflies CYP Bereavement Support - all ages, Hastings, Rother and Eastbourne
Peer group sessions which encourage children and young people to share their feelings and experiences of bereavement. 1:1 support is also available for 15+ year olds and early years support for children under 5.
E-motion online counselling - ages 12 to 18, countywide
Offers free online counselling to young people living in East Sussex on any issues related to mental health and wellbeing. Young people can self-refer to this service and speak to a trained counsellor at a time that suits them.
East Sussex Young Carers - ages 5-18, countywide
Supports young carers responsible for caring for a family member with a long-term illness, disability, mental health or substance issues. The team offer a range of short-term interventions including signposting, 1:1 support and in-school support and workshops.
Education Futures Trust (EFT) - all ages, Hastings only
Supports children and families in Hastings and Rye with emotional wellbeing issues, offering programmes such as Forest School, Incredible Years Parenting Courses and much more.
Eggtooth therapeutic support - all ages, Hastings only
The Egg therapeutic service is launching with its pilot counselling programme for children and young people in Hastings in September 2018, with limited free places for 12 sessions. Referrals will be considered for children/young people who are not receiving any other therapeutic input, or who have no means to access private therapy and are therapy-ready. Sessions will take place in the Wellington Wellbeing Centre, Wellington Square, Hastings, with a chaperone provided to transport the client each way and liaise with the family as appropriate. The service may be able to take additional referrals if schools or individuals have funding available.
Contact: Laura Dunton Clark, Director on 07801 704304, or email: laura@eggtooth.org.uk.
Fegans - parent and school support, based in Tunbridge Wells
Evidence-based, tailor made support for parents and school staff.
i-Rock - ages 14 to 25 (Hastings, Eastbourne and Newhaven)
Opening hours: Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 11am to 6pm
Supports young people with issues relating to emotional and mental wellbeing, jobs, education and housing. Young people can self-refer to i-rock, either by dropping in to their Cambridge Road office or booking an appointment online.
Inclusion, Special Educational Needs and Disability (ISEND) services - ages 0-18 (varies between services), countywide
Opening hours: Weekdays (term-time only), 9am to 5pm
ISEND services support children and young people with a wide range of additional and special educational needs, including behavioural and mental health, as well as providing guidance and training to school staff. The majority of services only accept referrals from schools.
One You East Sussex - ages 16+ (stop smoking support starts from age 12), countywide
The county's free healthy lifestyle service for residents. All services are free and based in various locations across East Sussex. Services include stop smoking, NHS health checks, coaching and mental health first aid training. Find out more on the One You East Sussex leaflet.
Open for Parents - parents of 0-19 year olds, countywide
Schools can signpost parents and carers who are struggling with parenting difficulties to ‘Open for Parents’ (previously Parenting Matters) a free service that offers workshops (including the Triple P programme), drop in surgeries, discussion groups, resources and a weekly advice line. Parents and carers can self-refer.
School Health Service - 5-19 year olds, countywide
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm
The School Health Team is led by registered, qualified nurses who have a specialist community public health degree. The team is multi-skilled including nurses and health improvement staff. We work closely with a number of other services, including education, GPs, children’s integrated therapy services, paediatricians, the voluntary sector, youth services and East Sussex Children's Services.
The School Health Service works in partnership with parents, children and young people to promote positive health and wellbeing, including physical and emotional health. The service is accessible to those who attend state schools, home educated and those not in education.
Single Point of Advice (SPoA) - ages 0-19, countywide
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 5pm, Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm. For out of hours queries, contact the Emergency Duty Service.
Advises practitioners and other professionals with concerns about immediate risks to a child or young person, or any concerns reaching Level 3 or 4 on the Continuum of Need.
Sussex Community Rail Partnership
Support for children and young people to travel independently by train, particularly those facing additional challenges such as special educational needs or disabilities.
Support and advice for children, young people and families who have a relative in prison. Also offers training for professionals on awareness of related issues.
Offers educational courses about mental health and recovery which are designed to increase knowledge and skills and promote self-management.
The Youth Counselling Project - ages 5-18, Seaford only
Free counselling sessions in Seaford Head School and some Seaford primary schools, accessed through school staff. There are plans to expand this service into other areas of the county.
YMCA Dialogue - all ages, Eastbourne and Hastings
Offers counselling, advice, mental health support and other wellbeing services to children, young people and families.
YMCA Downslink WISE Project - up to age 25, countywide
1:1 support and group work for children and young people at risk of Child Sexual Exploitation. The service also provides training to schools, community organisations, police and local authority teams.