South West London CCG Annual Report and Accounts 2020/21

unemployment, and potential trauma, such as in cases where domestic violence is prevalent. In response to the challenges of the pandemic, mental health services have maintained business as usual whilst adapting as necessary, often with the use of technology. This has enabled mental health services not only to support children and young people but also to empower teachers with the tools they need to support their students. Across South West London we now have: • 10 mental health support teams supporting children and young people throughout the pandemic. • An online counselling service to support children and young people at home. Anyone between 11 and 22 years old can access Kooth for free 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at www.kooth.com. • Launched a website providing details of where children and young people can access additional support www. swlondonccg.nhs.uk/your-health/ mental-health/covid19-resource-hub. • Delivered online workshops for children and teachers. • Conducted one-to-one telephone and video call sessions with children and young people. • Launched new 24-hour urgent mental health support lines for all boroughs: Croydon 0800 731 2864, all other south west London boroughs 0800 028 8000 • Empowering Parents, Empowering Communities (EPEC) hubs have been established in all South West London boroughs. These are evidence-based, parenting support hubs running developmental (children, young people and infants) and specialist (parent conflict, ASD, AHDH, parent mental health) parenting programmes. Parents receive training and accreditation to become ‘parent group leaders’ and go on to provide parenting courses and support to parents in their local communities. The hubs have been operating virtually during the pandemic. • Conducted welfare checks to identify vulnerable children, resulting in children who would otherwise not have been flagged up being identified. Increasing mental health emergency services On 30 March 2020, South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust opened a new emergency service for patients with primary mental health problems who would otherwise have had to go to A&E. The Orchid Mental Health Emergency Service (MHES), based at Springfield University Hospital, is an alternative to acute hospital emergency departments, enabling patients to attend a dedicated MHES set up specifically for this purpose. The service accepts patients of all ages, including children. A screening process must take place before patients are referred to the service, to ensure any physical health problems do not require urgent medical attention. Organisations that can refer patients to these services include 38 | NHS South West London Clinical Commissioning Group