PAIRS Workforce Support

The PAIRS team can provide one-to-one support via phone and video. New  referrals from professionals are encouraged, and parents can also self-refer. The team will assess families’ current needs, discuss what support can be offered and put a plan in place.

Contact: 020 3228 6771 / PAIRS_Lambeth@slam.nhs.uk

CAMHS (not a LEAP service)

Routine CAMHS appointments are being held as phone reviews or video-calls although non-urgent appointments are subject to cancellation or rescheduling at short notice. Clinicians will decide whether urgent appointments need to be conducted face-to-face and will notify families accordingly. Families should not attend any face-to-face appointments if someone in the household has a cough, fever or shortness of breath, or may have been exposed to coronavirus.

Further information: https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/children-young-people-and-families/mental-health-for-children-and-young

If a child has an urgent mental health crisis, parents should call Lambeth CAMHS 9-5pm on 0203 228 7370, and speak to the duty worker. Out of working hours, they can contact the dedicated SLAM Mental Health Crisis Line on 0800 731 2864 or NHS 111.

Lambeth Talking Therapies (not a LEAP service)

Lambeth Talking Therapies Service is part of the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies service (IAPT). It is available to anyone 18 years and older registered with a Lambeth GP. IAPT offers talking therapies for people experiencing mild to moderate depression, general anxiety and worry, panic attacks, social anxiety, traumatic memories and obsessive compulsive disorder. They also support women experiencing perinatal mental health difficulties (pregnancy up to one year post-birth) and offer help with other problems including anger, eating, and relationship or sexual difficulties.

More information about treatment types (currently offered online and via phone/Skype) is available here: https://slam-iapt.nhs.uk/lambeth/treatment-types/

Adults can find out more and self-refer online here: https://slam-iapt.nhs.uk/lambeth/welcome-to-lambeth-talking-therapies-service/

Mental health crisis support for adults in Lambeth (not a LEAP service)

Please find details of local services here: https://www.slam.nhs.uk/patients-and-carers/crisis-support.

Key sources of help:

• SLaM 24-hour mental health support line for patients and carers: 0800 731 2864
• NHS 111
• 999 in emergencies
• 24-hour Accident and Emergency psychiatric liaison service at St Thomas’ Hospital and King’s College Hospital.

Cocoon Family Support online group (not a LEAP service)

Cocoon Family Support has created an online support group for any expectant or new(ish) parent in the London area struggling with their mental wellbeing. Parents can join every Tuesday and Thursday at 10 a.m. via Zoom (app can be downloaded onto phone, tablet or computer) to discuss all things pregnancy, new parenthood and mental health related. The group will be led by an experienced and trained peer supporter.

 More information: https://cocoonfamilysupport.org/

Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/263329262

HelpHub (not a LEAP service)

HelpHub is a group of qualified therapists who are giving their time freely during the Covid-19 pandemic to people who feel isolated and fearful. Individuals will be able to book a 20 minute chat on Skype, FaceTime or on the telephone. The website under construction as of 24th March but appointments should be bookable very soon: https://www.thehelphub.co.uk/  

MumsAid (not a LEAP service)

MumsAid is offering two groups to enhance creativity, mindfulness and self-compassion during the Covid-19 pandemic. They are welcoming mums and pregnant women across the country to join MumsAid’s Online Journalling Group and the Mama Tune Online Chorus. Absolutely no skill or previous experience is necessary to join.

More information: ali@mums-aid.org / http://www.mums-aid.org

Attachment is a key factor in healthy child development and positive and secure parent-child interaction supports the development of children’s social, emotional, and cognitive skills. Where children do not develop secure attachment with a caregiver, there is increased risk of emotional and behavioural difficulties.

The PAIRS training course provides an overview for early years practitioners on attachment and infant mental health. It incorporates the meaning of attachment, why it is important, impact on brain development, interaction with parental mental health, and practical tips for identifying issues and having conversations with parents.

In the first instance, LEAP has made this free training offer available to all practitioners involved in delivering a LEAP service.

The training is comprised of three workshops, each lasting three hours. Each workshop will be divided into two parts. The first part will look at aspects of attachment and parent-infant relationships, followed by a second half where the group will split into two smaller groups for a work discussion.

Workshop 1 - What is attachment, what are good attachments, why are they important, attachment and brain development.

Workshop 2 - Transgenerational aspects of attachment, the impact of parental mental health, the impact of parent’s history on parenting, and the impact of trauma during pregnancy and birth.

Workshop 3 - Identifying attachment difficulties, having conversations with parents, supervision support for practitioners.

Practitioners will be expected to bring examples of their work with families and clients to the training. This will ensure that theory and teaching is grounded in everyday practice.

Caseload Midwifery, Group Pregnancy Care, Baby Steps, Family Nurse Partnership, PAIRS, Empowering Parents Empowering Communities.

If you know of a workforce group in the LEAP area who would benefit from this training, please contact the PAIRS team on the details given below.

Contact PAIRS_Lambeth@slam.nhs.uk or 020 3228 6771.