First Steps (Community CAMHS)

group of people wearing white and orange backpacks walking on gray concrete pavement during daytime

What we do:

First Steps is a Community Psychology and Early Intervention service for children, young people and their families who have mild to moderate mental health problems. The service includes:

  • Early access to a mental health service for mild to moderate psychological problems
  • A range of individual and group interventions
  • Evidence based interventions and parent group interventions 
  • Cognitive Behavioural Pathway for 16/17 year old through joint IAPT pathway
  • Quick Steps pathway for emerging self-harm, depression and anxiety
  • Development of projects which support and empower parents and community groups
  • Mental health promotion and teaching, training and consultation to frontline professionals working with children and young people
  • WAMHS – Wellbeing & Mental Health in Schools (Link)

Who is eligible?

  • Aged 0-18 years
  • With mild to moderate mental health difficulties
  • With a GP in City & Hackney
  • Where the legally responsible parent/guardian has given consent for referral
  • Who have psychological difficulties which are likely to be helped by a short-term psychological intervention not requiring MDT involvement *

*Exclusion Criteria: Please note that First Steps are unable to accept referrals for families who are currently open to Children’s Social Care.

Contact information:

  • Hackney Ark,  Downs Park Road,  London  E8 2FP
  • Daily duty number: 020 7014 7135
  • 9am – 5pm  Monday to Friday
  • huh-tr.FirstSteps@nhs.net

How to access our service:

Professionals supporting families such as GP, school staff or Family Support Practitioners can refer using the SPA Referral Form available here.

Once completed, email the referral form to huh-tr.camhs-spa@nhs.net

You can also call 020 7014 7079 to contact SPA team by phone (9am-5pm)

Where are we based?

First Steps operates clinics from a number of settings, including GP surgeries, Children Centres and HealthSpot at Forest Road Youth Hub.

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