East Sussex single point of advice (SPoA)
A new referral process for 0-18 year olds who are experiencing social, emotional and mental health difficulties has been put in place. All referrals will be triaged at the multi-agency Single Point of Advice (SPoA) hub by staff from Sussex Partnership and East Sussex County Council Children’s Services who are all experienced in mental health. The young person will then be offered the advice or support that best meets their needs.
We aim to:
- Offer advice and guidance to accessing support
- Simplify the referral route and reduce duplication of referrals
- Offer timely and easier access to the ‘right service’
Who we are
The East Sussex Single Point of Advice (SPoA) is a triage service which simplifies the referral process for professionals and families who are concerned about the mental health or emotional wellbeing of a child or young person in East Sussex. The SPoA offers information and signposting to other agencies and support that might be required to help a child, young person or family.
The SPoA was developed to help address the increased demand for mental health services to support children and young people. The service is provided by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and East Sussex County Council.
The East Sussex Single Point of Advice (SPoA) offers a triage system for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and East Sussex County Council Children’s Services.
When a referrer contacts the SPoA they will be asked a set of questions to help identify what form of support will be most useful for the child/young person. If appropriate, a referral will be made to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) or Children’s Services. If it is identified that the child/young person requires a different service, the referrer will be given information and signposted for support that is available from other agencies.
Benefits of the improved service include:
- One referral to the SPoA, instead of multiple referrals to CAMHS and East Sussex Children’s services
- Reduced duplication
- Fewer ‘touchpoints’ for young people, families and referrers
- More timely and easier access to the ‘right service’
- Simplified referral route