Open Minds Partnership - Calderdale Family Hubs

What is Open Minds?

Calderdale Open Minds is a partnership of organisations who are commissioned to deliver signposting, advice, and mental health interventions for children and young people aged 5 to 19 (up to age 25 with SEND) and their families. The service aims to improve social emotional and mental health and wellbeing for children and young people living in Calderdale through a locally delivered and integrated approach called the THRIVE Framework.

Local children and young people chose "Open Minds" as their preferred name for the collection of local services and supports. Open Minds represents an ongoing journey, and reduces stigma which can be associated with mental health and emotional wellbeing.

We would also encourage you to visit the partnership website which has been designed by young people for young people, as well as parents/carers and professionals. The site has a range of helpful information, videos, apps and resources.

What can the Open Minds Partnership help with?

Open Minds offers support when a child or young person’s emotional or mental health difficulties are significantly affecting daily life and haven’t improved with early or universal support. A referral may be helpful where there are concerns such as serious changes in self-care, high family distress, ongoing school absence linked to mental health, falling academic performance, social withdrawal, or risky behaviour.

Support is tailored to individual needs and may include digital therapy, face-to-face sessions, or phone/video support. Longer-term help is available for more complex difficulties. For common reactions to life events (such as bereavement or exam stress), self-help resources or community support may be recommended instead.

Organisations share information appropriately so young people only need to tell their story once before being guided to the right support.

For Young People Making a Referral to Open Minds

If you’re thinking about referring yourself for support, it’s important to know how decisions about your care are made.

In the UK, there is something called Gillick competence, which helps professionals decide whether a child or young person can make their own decisions about getting help, advice, or treatment. The NSPCC has a helpful page that explains this clearly and simply, so you can understand what happens when you ask for support and how adults decide whether you can consent on your own. Checking it out can help you feel more confident and informed about how your self-referral will be handled.

An accompanying video is also available on the Healthy Futures Calderdale YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/-pQM8oc9dH0

Click Here to Learn More about Gillick Competence

Make a Referral to Open Minds

I am a young person referring myself

I am a parent/carer referring a young person

I am a professional

Open Minds THRIVE Framework Delivery

Getting Advice:

Access via the First Point of Contact (FPoC) provided by Northpoint - the single point of access for referrals for mental health and emotional wellbeing and requests for neurodevelopmental assessments for Autism and ADHD in Calderdale. The service offers consultation, support, advice and referral guidance to parents/carers, young people and professionals.

If you would like to discuss any existing or potential referrals to Open Minds in Calderdale:

T: 01422 300 001 - Monday to Friday 8:45am - 5:00pm
E: firstpointofcontact@openmindscamhs.org.uk

Open Minds First Point of Contact is not an emergency service and may not always be able to respond immediately. Therefore, if you have concerns regarding safety or need urgent crisis support & advice the following services are available:

If between 8.00 a.m - 8.00 p.m: Contact the Crisis Team on 01484 343 763
If between 8.00 p.m. - 8.00 a.m: Contact Night Owls for crisis support, a listening line and guidance to young people, parents and carers on 0800 148 8244. Text: 07984376950 Chat: West Yorkshire Night Owls

Please also find further guidance on support on following website: https://northpoint.org.uk/urgent-help/

Getting Help:

Time-limited, goal-focused interventions delivered in schools, community, and health settings with clear crisis access routes. This includes:

Group support, counselling, creative therapy and therapeutically informed support provided by Invictus Wellbeing BREW Project.

Evidence-based interventions and single session interventions provided by Noah's Ark Centre.

Holding Space and Creative Wellbeing courses provided by Healthy Minds.

Evidence-based interventions, single session interventions, and Silvercloud digital support provided by Northpoint Mental Health in Schools (MHST) and Getting Help Teams.

Getting More Help:

Specialist support for severe, persistent, or complex mental health needs including crisis, eating disorders, neurodevelopmental needs, and home-based interventions. This includes Child and adolecent mental health service (CAMHS) provided by South West Yorkshire Trust.

Getting Risk Support:

Multi-agency risk management for CYP unable to benefit from treatment but who present significant ongoing risk.

Multi-Agency Screening Team (MAST) Phone 01422 393 336 Email MASTadmin@calderdale.gov.uk

Helpful Resources

You may find the following websites useful:

Destination - Helpful Information for Young People

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West Yorkshire Health & Care Partnership - Neurodiversity

Routes and Routines: a resource for children, young people and their families

BBC Bitesize

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You can also follow:

Family Hubs Calderdale