We are really pleased to update you on how the BeeU emotional wellbeing and mental health service will be supporting children, young people and their families for the year ahead (2024/25).

The BeeU service commissioned by NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and delivered by Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT) provides:

• Emotional wellbeing and mental health services for children and young people (0-25)
• Neurodevelopmental assessments for children – autism for 5-18 year olds, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) for 6-18 year olds
• Community Eating Disorder Services for 0-18 year olds

The enhanced offer for 2024/2025:

The way children and young people access mental health services has changed since BeeU was launched in 2017, and the demand on the service has continued to grow significantly in recent years.

We understand this has led to longer waits to access services than we would wish and appreciate the frustration felt by families who are seeking support.

In recognition of this, from April 2024 MPFT will enhance the BeeU service offer, with additional investment from NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin. MPFT will bolster its capacity by growing the BeeU team, with more registered mental health professionals able to respond to the increased demand; and developing the prevention offer available in schools and communities.

These changes aim to prioritise a reduction in the number of children waiting for an assessment, enabling more timely access to assessment and intervention for children and young people and ensuring they receive the right help, in the right place, at the right time.

Additional support will be available to schools through the successful Mental Health Support Teams (MHST). These teams collaborate with Mental Health Leads in schools to provide targeted support to vulnerable pupils, with the goal of addressing issues at an earlier stage and preventing them from becoming more serious. MHSTs are already working with nearly 50% of schools throughout the county, facilitating swifter access to specialist services and building on support already in place from professionals, such as school counsellors, Public Health school nurses, Children & Young Peoples Social Prescribing, educational psychologists and the voluntary sector. A new team commenced operations in January, focusing on South Shropshire. Moreover, we are pleased to announce that funding has been secured for an additional team, scheduled to commence operations in January 2025, further extending our reach and impact in the community.

New for 2024/25, and supporting the MHST offer, will be the launch of a partnership with SYA, alongside a number of other voluntary and community sector organisations, providing emotional wellbeing services to children in their schools and local communities across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.

To find out more about the enhanced BeeU service visit our newly revamped website: https://camhs.mpft.nhs.uk/beeu

Accessing the BeeU service:

• Direct digital support is a crucial part of the BeeU offer, and children and young people will continue to be able to directly access Kooth (kooth.com) without the need for a referral being made. Kooth is an online emotional wellbeing community for children and young people aged 11 to 25 offering 24/7 free emotional support on an anonymous basis.
• Direct telephone support – call 0808 196 4501, MPFT’s Freephone helpline available 24/7 for people of all ages seeking mental health support.
• Making a referral – children, young people and their families can speak to their GP, school or other health/education professional to request a referral into BeeU. It is best if a professional who knows the child well, and can therefore provide good information on the child’s strengths and difficulties, makes the referral.

The service has updated its referral forms to access Mental Health, Neurodevelopmental or Community Eating Disorder support, and these can be found on BeeU’s web page at https://camhs.mpft.nhs.uk/beeu

Please ensure to complete the relevant form if you wish to make a referral into BeeU. The web page provides more information on the referral process, including how to submit a completed referral.

An enhanced approach has been introduced for those seeking to make a referral to access BeeU’s Neurodevelopmental assessment offer, and increasing the workforce allows for further integration of the previously separate Autism and ADHD processes.

Healios (www.healios.org.uk) works in partnership with MPFT. BeeU and other services can refer children and young people to access online psychological therapies.

Other mental health and wellbeing support available:

• Childline: a free, private, and confidential service where young people can talk about anything. Calls are free and confidential. Calls are not recorded, and its number won't show up on any phone bills. Call 0800 1111 (24 hours a day, every day).
• Shout: confidential crisis text support for times when immediate assistance is required. Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258 (24 hours a day, every day).
• YoungMinds: a mental health charity for children and young people. Whether you want to understand more about how you're feeling and find ways to feel better, or you want to support someone who's struggling, Young Minds can help.

If you would like to get involved or provide any feedback on the BeeU service, please email stw.getinvolved@nhs.net

Thank you for your continued partnership and we look forward to updating you in due course on our plans to engage local people on BeeU’s service provision for 2025/26 and beyond.