A young person experiencing a crisis may be a threat to themselves or others through self-harm, suicide or aggression. They may be highly vulnerable to danger, seeking help from people who may harm them, mis-using drugs and alcohol, and behaving in a reckless, risky way.
We aim to offer you the RIGHT help, at the RIGHT time, by the RIGHT person, in the RIGHT place, 100 per cent of the time.
This will improve your overall experience, and the experience of those who care for you, and help to keep you out of hospital.
The pathway has created new services, and supported improvements to existing services. Most of the services are based in the community and services are available across extended hours, seven days a week.
Ongoing future development will be based on evidence and feedback from children, young people and other key people.
There are six key elements that make up the pathway:
An on call rota to ensure medics are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Providing consultation, risk assessment, safety planning and management if you are experiencing a mental health crisis. Read more about our rapid response teams.
Our safe zones are part of the Greater Manchester crisis care pathway for children and young people. The aim of this is to make sure you receive the RIGHT help, at the RIGHT time, by the RIGHT person, in the RIGHT place, 100 per cent of the time.
Who runs the safe zones?
The safe zones are provided by national charity The Children's Society, who are working in partnership with local charities: Bolton Lads and Girls Club, Manchester Youth Zone and 42nd Street.
They are run by experienced staff from those charities, who will provide you with appropriate support and advice. In addition, support will also be provided to your parents and carers to help with your mental health.
If you're aged 13 to 18 years, you'll be referred to the safe zones by crisis care pathway partners, the rapid response teams, community child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) teams and mental health liaison services; who work in partnership with accident and emergency teams.
The safe zones are in four locations across Greater Manchester, they can offer sessions either face to face or if you require they can support you on -line, in a virtual manner.
The safe zone team provides short-term interventions, including tailor-made sessions which meet your needs, with practical sessions to get to know you. The activities encourage talking and participation and are planned to support your journey towards wellbeing, over a period of several weeks.
To work effectively with you, and to support referring services, the safe zone team is available across extended hours, seven days a week.
Mental health crisis support for young people in acute hospital settings, through enhanced training, to strengthen the relationship between paediatric and child and adolescent mental health colleagues.
A one year pilot started across three Greater Manchester general hospitals in February 2021.
We provide a central point for assessing whether you need inpatient mental health care, or if an alternative solution would better meet your needs.
If you are admitted for an inpatient stay, we also work with you and the inpatient team to make sure you are discharged as soon as possible.
These teams work in hospitals to provide rapid support to people of all ages, who are experiencing a mental health crisis.
The pathway is delivered by Pennine Care, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.
To ensure the continued success of the pathway, we will continue to work closely with lots of partner organisations in Greater Manchester. This includes other NHS trusts, local authorities (councils), the private sector and the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector.
By sharing our knowledge, skills, experience and resources, we can further develop existing, new and innovative services that are easy for young people to access and better meet their needs.
If you’re interested in finding out more please get in touch at pcn-tr.gm.crisiscare@nhs.net
