Help shape a new single point of access for children and young people’s mental health in Greenwich via a focus group or survey

A reminder of what we are doing

Greenwich are currently designing a single point of access (SPA) for children and young people to make it easier to access emotional wellbeing and mental health support.

This will mean there will be one place where children and young people, and their families, can go to find support in Greenwich for their emotional wellbeing needs and further mental health support should they require it. Our aim is that the SPA will make it simpler to get the right help at the right time.

Currently, the SPA is in the Design Phase.

How is this work being shaped?

This work is being delivered collaboratively with the Royal Borough of Greenwich, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust and NHS South East London, in partnership with PPL and Baxendale to support the development of the SPA and engagement with the local community.

From the beginning, we have said the SPA should be shaped by children and young people, and their families and carers, not designed for them without their input.

So far, we have engaged 296 residents who live and work in Greenwich. This has included holding four focus groups and further conversations at community events and local settings, such as youth hubs, schools, children’s festivals, parent groups and service user groups. The full list is below.

We have also made sure we engage with people who can face greater barriers to accessing mental health support, including:

• Black young men
• Children and young people with SEND
• LGBTQ+ children and young people
• Young carers
• Families experiencing poverty or involved with safeguarding services

What You’ve Told Us So Far

Below are some key things you have told us so far:

1. The SPA needs to be easy to use - People want a simple way to access the SPA, especially young people. Long or complicated forms can be off-putting.
2. It must feel inclusive and culturally competent - The SPA should recognise different cultures, backgrounds and experiences, and understand the barriers some communities may face in accessing support
3. What happens next should be clear and consistent - People want to know where they’ll be referred to and what support they might get and a dedicated space to self-navigate support available within Greenwich and understand more about emotional wellbeing and mental health.
4. Digital aspects matter - Digital tools and clear online information can be reassuring, especially for young people.

Where we are right now?

Currently, we are working through the design phase of the SPA.

This means:

1. Working closely with Greenwich professionals who know local services well
2. Continuing to coproduce with Young Commissioners and people with lived experience of children and young people’s mental health support
3. Mapping out how the SPA will work including where it will be based, what the workforce will look like, what systems it will use and the user journey children, young people and their families may go on to access support, ensuring it meets the needs of all residents who require support

This feedback is helping shape how the SPA will work in practice, so that it reflects what matters most to children, young people, and families, as well as what works locally for professionals and residents in Greenwich.

What will happen next?

With the design of the SPA underway, the next steps include:

1. Working with young people to share the designed service model and digital aspects, hear what they think, and use their feedback to help shape it further
2. Getting agreement and formal sign off on the final service design
3. Mobilising and implementing the service, which means bringing the SPA to life and getting it set-up and working in practice

How we listened to children, young people and their families

We asked people to share their views:

• through a short survey
• through virtual and in person focus groups organised as below:
• through a virtual conversation via the chat forum discussion
• through outreach in the community
  • Charlton Park Academy School Student Wellbeing Group
  • Young Greenwich Community Fun Day (Hornfair Park)
  • Valley Central Youth Hub Drop-In
  • Kidbrooke Pride Event
  • Storkway Children’s Centre Summer Festival
  • Willow Dene School Coffee Morning
  • Woolwich Common Youth Hub Drop-In
  • Hawksmoor Youth Hub Drop-In
  • Thamesmead Festival (Southmere Park)
  • Young Advisors Meetings
  • Oxleas User Groups
  • Healthier Greenwich Partnership Engagement Network
  • PAG Open-Invite Focus Groups