6. Specialist Approaches
6a. Accessing external and specialist support
Specialist services
Southwark CAMHS ServicesBest for: children and young people experiencing emotional or mental health difficulties (e.g. anxiety, low mood, trauma), where specialist assessment or therapy may be needed. In Southwark, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) are provided by South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM). CAMHS includes a number of multidisciplinary teams offering specialist support for children, young people and families. Child and Family Service Provides specialist assessment and treatment for children and young people up to age 18, alongside support for parents and families. The service also includes The Hope Project, which supports children, young people and families affected by traumatic experiences. These might be single events, such as a road accident or longer-term experiences of abuse or violence. How to access Referrals can be made by anyone who is concerned about a child, including their parent or carer, GP, teacher or social worker. Email: CAMHS.SouthwarkReferrals@slam.nhs.uk |
Southwark CAMHS Neurodevelopmental Service (NDS)Best for: children and young people with autism, ADHD or learning disabilities who also have significant mental health needs or behaviours that challenge. Overview The NDS supports children and young people with neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and intellectual disability (also known as learning disability). The team offers assessment, therapeutic support and advice, and works with parents and carers when a young person has significant mental health needs or behaviours that are hard to manage. Most appointments take place at Sunshine House, but support can also be offered at home or in school. The service links closely with other CAMHS teams and community organisations in Southwark. How to access Referrals should be made using the Southwark CAMHS Single Point of Access referral form. Referrals are screen to check suitability and urgency. If accepted, the young person will usually be added to a waiting list for an assessment to take place as soon as possible. Contact Telephone: 0203 228 7777 |
SEND support and assessment
Southwark SEN Inclusion and Monitoring TeamBest for: pupils with SEND who need additional support or assessment (e.g. SpLD/dyslexia), or where schools need advice on inclusive strategies and statutory responsibilities. Overview This team supports schools to meet the needs of pupils with SEND, including those with an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan. They help schools to develop inclusive practice and ensure that provision is in place so that children and young people can learn, take part and thrive. The team works with staff to explore how a pupil’s behaviour may be linked to their learning needs and offers practical advice on strategies that can make a difference in the classroom. They can carry out assessments, such as for SpLD/dyslexia, and provide training and guidance that is adapted to the needs of individual pupils and settings. The service is flexible in how it works, tailoring support to each school’s context and priorities. Who can access Schools in Southwark and out-of-borough schools with responsibility for Southwark pupils. How to access To request a SpLD /Dyslexia assessment the school must complete a referral form. Schools can also request other support e.g. in school training which is considered on a case by case basis Contact |
Southwark Educational Psychology Service (EPS)Best for: children and young people whose learning, behaviour or wellbeing is not improving despite support in school and where specialist advice or assessment is needed. Overview The EPS is part of Southwark Council’s SEND team. Educational psychologists and SEND Inclusion Practitioners (SENDIPs) work with schools, early years settings, post-16 providers and families to support children and young people with additional needs, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), those who are looked after and those at risk of harm. Support includes consultation, assessment, interventions, training and advice at individual, group and whole-school level. Who can access Children and young people aged 0–25 who live in Southwark or attend a Southwark school. How to access Concerns should usually be discussed first with a child’s teacher, SENCo, Inclusion Manager or Head Teacher. Schools can involve their link educational psychologist if a pupil continues to make less than expected progress despite support. Parents also have the right to request an Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment, which will involve EPS input. Non-maintained schools can purchase EPS support via a service level agreement or daily rate (subject to availability). Cost Free to families, children and young people. Maintained schools are allocated a named link EP. Non-maintained schools can buy in the service. Contact Website: Educational Psychology Service | Southwark Local Offer Email: SEN-EducationalPsychologist&EHO@southwark.gov.uk |
Autism Support Team (Southwark Council)Best for: early years and primary-aged pupils in Southwark with a confirmed autism diagnosis. Overview This team works with schools, settings and families to create autism-friendly environments and strengthen understanding of children’s needs. Support can include classroom observation, tailored strategies and visual resources, as well as workshops and training sessions for parents and carers. How to access Requests are made by schools using a referral form, which must be signed by parents and include confirmation of diagnosis. The team reviews requests regularly and allocates support as appropriate. Contact Email: AutismSupportTeam@southwark.gov.uk |
The Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) ServiceBest for: children and young people with speech, language, communication or swallowing difficulties that are affecting their learning, behaviour or relationships. Overview The SALT service, part of Evelina London Children’s Community Services (Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust), supports children and young people with speech, language, communication or swallowing difficulties. Support may begin before school and continue into later years, depending on need. The team works with children individually or in groups and also provides advice to parents, carers and schools. Families are often given activities to try at home to help children make the best progress. Who can access Children and young people aged 0–19 who live in Southwark or attend a Southwark mainstream school, and their parents or carers How to access For children under 5, support can be accessed through drop-in sessions, Chattertime, or referral from a parent, health visitor, GP, nursery or Children’s Centre. For children aged 5 and above, schools (via the SENCo) usually make the referral. Parents and carers can also contact the service directly for advice. Contact Website: Evelina London SALT Service |
Behaviour support and exclusion prevention
Summerhouse Behaviour Support ServiceStrengthening mainstream placements and reducing exclusions by working with pupils, families, and schools together. Best for: Primary-aged pupils (5–11) in Southwark mainstream schools who are at risk of exclusion due to social, emotional, or behavioural needs. Overview Summerhouse is a short-stay, preventative behaviour support service. It is not a special school, but a partnership resource for Southwark mainstream schools. The service aims to strengthen pupils’ chances of thriving in mainstream education by addressing behaviours of concern before they escalate to permanent exclusion. Pupils attend Summerhouse part-time for two terms while remaining dual-registered with their mainstream school. Alongside direct pupil support, Summerhouse works with schools and families to promote consistency, resilience, and long-term strategies for behaviour and wellbeing. How the service supports behaviour and wellbeing in schools
How to access Referrals are made directly by mainstream schools. Pupils remain on the roll of their home school. The success of the placement depends on active collaboration between specialist Summerhouse staff, the mainstream school, and the family to ensure consistent expectations and approaches. Phone: 02086932592 Email: office@summerhouse.southwark.sch.uk Website: www.summerhousesouthwark.org.uk |
Beormund Primary school“Working in partnership to inspire learning, empower individuals and enrich the community of the future” Best for: Beormund Primary is a Southwark special school that caters for children with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs. All children arrive with an Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) because their complex needs could not be met in a mainstream setting. Overview Beormund is a small, nurturing and therapeutic provision with trauma informed care. Our children often find difficulty regulating their emotions, processing language and expectations, adhering to social norms, building relationships and verbalising how they think and feel. All of our children have speech language and communication needs. Some may have a diagnosis such as ADHD, ODD, PTSD or Autism. Many of our children have been impacted from Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) which affect how they view the world and their responses to it. Their complex emotions often manifest in behaviours that challenge – behaviours are, after all, a form of communication. How the service supports behaviour and wellbeing in schools
How to access Requests can be made via the school office. Phone: 0207 525 9027 Email: office@beormund.southwark.sch.uk Website: www.beormundschool.co.uk |
Early help and community wellbeing
The NestBest for: young people and families in Southwark who may benefit from non-clinical support for their mental health and wellbeing. Overview The Nest offers early help for children, young people and families, with a focus on building emotional resilience and wellbeing. Support includes youth work, person-centred counselling, talking therapies, group activities, peer mentoring and access to online resources. The service takes a non-clinical approach, helping young people to develop the tools and confidence to manage challenges and thrive. How to access Young people, parents and carers, and professionals can get in touch directly to find out more about the support available. Referrals are not always necessary and the team can advise on the best route depending on need. Contact Telephone: 020 7525 2714 Email: thenest@groundwork.org.uk |