Further to the Scottish Government Mental Health Strategy 2017-2027, this training has been developed for qualified multi-disciplinary staff across agencies who work with children and young people, e.g., in school settings. The resources are evidence and competency-based and aligned to the NES Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) MATRIX, and also Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC).
The training aims to equip staff to deliver psychologically informed practices and interventions to children and young people who have elevated levels of distress but who would not meet the criteria for a referral to CAMHS. We are guided by the principles of implementation science, which tell us that on the job support is required to embed new skills into practice; all our training is accompanied by ‘application to practice’ groups or coaching sessions delivered by an expert in the technique / intervention.
Let’s Introduce Anxiety Management
Let’s Introduce Anxiety Management is a training package is intended to develop skills in the delivery of a Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)-informed approach for the treatment of mild-moderate anxiety symptoms in children and young people (CYP).
It was designed by NHS Education for Scotland along with Professor Paul Stallard, from the University of Bath, who is an internationally renowned expert in the treatment of anxiety in CYP.
It has four components: (1) an online module, (2) an awareness raising workshop, (3) a two day training course introducing the techniques to deliver the intervention, and (4) follow-up coaching to provide on the job support for clinicians to deliver the anxiety management package to CYP with fidelity to the LIAM model.
NES uses a train the trainer model, to cascade the training through CAMHS services and Early Intervention Services.
Carol Hayes, school nurse in NHS Lanarkshire, describing the benefits of the 'Let's introduce anxiety management' (LIAM) learning programme.
LET’S INTRODUCE ANXIETY MANAGEMENT (LIAM) SELF-HELP RESOURCES:
LIAM resources to help all Parents, Carers and Trusted Adults to support their Children and Young People to manage Anxiety in an evidence-based manner:
Brief Behavioural Activation For Depressed Adolescent (Brief BA)
Following the success of the Let's Introduce Anxiety Management (LIAM) intervention in Scottish schools, NES TIPS-EIC is offering Brief BA to address Low Mood/ Depression at the early intervention level, in school settings. The Brief BA intervention uses a structure workbook by Professor Shirley Reynolds and Dr Laura Pass, and is supported by psychology coaching, just like LIAM, to embed the new skills into practice and make sure the right young people are seen at this level of care. The intervention usually lasts 6 - 8 weekly sessions. Suicide and self-harm risk are managed via coaching and with individual 'Safety Plans' which highlight in, and out of, school emergency contacts/supports.
Further information can be found here, Behavioural activation for children and young people
Animations
The Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families is a children’s mental health charity with over 60 years experience of caring for young minds. Their vision is a world in which children and their families are effectively supported to build on their own strengths to achieve their goals in life.
NES is delighted to have worked with the Anna Freud Centre to re-dub these two excellent animations using the voices of Scottish children and young people. These are universal resources for primary (Talking mental health) and secondary (We all have mental health) school pupils and have accompanying materials for lessons, assemblies and role play sessions. These are freely available for use in Scottish schools.
The 'Talking mental health' animation and accompanying teacher toolkit is aimed at primary school pupils. They were developed in collaboration with children. The animation aims to give children:
- an understanding of what mental health is and the difference between every day small feelings and a big feeling
- consistent and accessible language to talk about mental health
- an understanding of how to be a good listener
The teacher toolkit for school staff to use alongside the above animation includes:
- a lesson plan
- an assembly plan and PowerPoint
- tips for talking for parents and carers booklet
- various resources and classroom exercises
The 'We all have mental health' animation and accompanying teacher toolkit is aimed at secondary school pupils (S1-3). They were developed in collaboration with young people, teachers and mental health experts. The animation aims to give young people of this age:
- consistent and accessible language to talk about mental health
- a better understanding of mental health self-care
- to know who to ask for support when it is needed
The teacher toolkit for school staff to use alongside the above animation includes:
- a lesson plan and Powerpoint
- an assembly plan and PowerPoint
- various resources and classroom exercises
Further information
Further information about how to access the TIPS-EIC (NES Training in Psychological Skills – Early Intervention for Children) training is available from:
- In local NHS boards: please contact your Local TIPS-EIC Co-ordinator
- In NHS education for Scotland: please contact Psychology@nes.scot.nhs.uk