Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about the service

Can you come out to our house? Where will the face to face sessions take place?

We offer both virtual on line sessions as well as  face to face sessions at a range of local venues including schools or our service therapy rooms in Rugeley or Newcastle under Lyme Children’s Centre. Your practitioner will discuss the most appropriate venue with you when calling to arrange the sessions. Unfortunately we are unable to offer home visits.

Is the intervention for parents or for children?

Working through parents is an effective strategy as parents are a vehicle for change. Parents are in the prime position to engage their children in the day to day application of the skills and are often present in the real life difficult situations. We know that children of younger ages can often struggle to transfer the knowledge they learn in 1-1 sessions into real life situations. Therefore by working through the parents and helping parents feel skilled and confident in managing their children’s difficulties they are able to learn real life applications of their skills and continue to use the skills on an ongoing basis which evidences longer term benefits.

Do you offer a counselling service? What support do you offer? Why can’t I have 1:1 support?

We offer a range of 1-1 and group short term interventions. These are primarily based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) and psychological Therapies (IAPT). We do not offer counselling or talking therapy.

Your referral is considered by our triage team which includes our clinical psychologists and the most appropriate support and intervention identified. This will be discussed with you.

Does having support from Action for Children mean that my child is on a social services list?

Referrals into our service are accompanied by a consent form. We ask to share your information with partner services that may be best placed to provide support to you. Where there are identified safeguarding concerns, these are shared appropriately with the Staffordshire Children’s Advice and Support Team.

Why can’t I have CAMHS?

Staffordshire CAMHS works to the THRIVE Framework. This conceptualises the mental health and wellbeing needs of children, young people and families into five needs-based groupings. Your referral is carefully assessed for the most appropriate support. Action for Children provide support for the Getting Advice and Getting Help groupings. We work closely with specialist CAHMS and where necessary will step up your care.

As a parent, what can I do to help or get some support?

We currently offer a range of support workshops for parents/carers as well as tips and advice on presenting difficulties.

What’s on offer after the intervention?

We are a short term intervention service and offer support for around 6 sessions (although this can be longer if needed). Our aim is to help build and develop skills required to address difficulties. We highly recommend that you take the time following our support to practice and develop the skills and tools you have learned as this provides for the most effective benefit.

As your sessions end your practitioner will signpost you to tools and resources that can help moving forward including our digital offer Silver Cloud.

Questions about our interventions

How do I use silver cloud? When is the best time to use it?

Silver Cloud is our digital offer. There are several online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy programmes to choose from and work through in your own time 24/7. Read more on how to get the best from this offer.

What is the benefit of the group workshops?

Our practitioners will talk to you about the group workshop you have been recommended at our initial call with you. Additionally at the start of the group workshop the aims will be discussed, and you will be supported to set a goal-based outcome

What if I don’t like the group? What should I do?

That’s ok, just talk to your practitioner! Please do give the group a try though, many young people who are uncertain about joining a group workshop go on to say it has been really beneficial to hear they are not alone and other young people have similar worries and difficulties.

Can I not have the camera on? I don’t want to see others?

We will need you to put your Camera on the first session as part of the registration process so that we can see that it is you and and where necessary at other times so that we can ensure your welfare throughout the sessions. If you prefer not to be on camera in between these times you can agree this with your practitioner or your parents could do the check in process for you.

What if I’m worried about something but don’t want to say in the group? Can I call you to chat after the intervention has finished?

Of course. Message your practitioner and they will arrange to talk with you separately.

Questions about waiting times

How Long is the wait for 1:1? How long is the wait for groups?

We are committed to getting you the support and help you need as quickly as possible however the demand for our service remains very high. Our waiting times vary depending on the type of support required so some children and young people will wait longer than others.

We offer a stepped care model at Action for Children. Our first steps are available to you and your secondary aged children immediately. You can sign up to one of our Silver Cloud targeted workshops which include space from Anxiety, space from low mood, space from body image to name a few.  If your children are primary school aged, then access our Parent Courses to get started on learning some techniques and skills to help your children with their emotional health.  The parenting courses are for parents of Children and Teens.

Our second step is for your young person to access one of our groups. We have a great menu of workshops for them to attend to address difficulties around common emotional health issues and the wait on these is minimal.  These CBT informed Sessions are great places to come together with other young people their age to gain some knowledge and skills to help us to think better to feel better – These workshops have great outcomes.

Finally, our third step is for 1-1 work, and this is our longest wait currently. This is where they will work with a practitioner as soon as they are able. We would always recommend where possible that all steps are tried to get the timeliest response and support for your children.  

Questions about specific issues

How do I get an ASD assessment? Can you help me to get an assessment or diagnosis?

Our service doesn't offer assessment or diagnosis. You can contact your GP for more information on how to get an assessment or find the process in your area by looking at the websites below. These websites give you comprehensive support, information and advice and how to take your next steps forward.

There are two Autism Teams that Cover Staffordshire. Referrals into the service can only be made by a professional who has met with the child and family. Please read their referral information on the websites on the assessment process to support your in accessing the correct support for your child.

In South Staffordshire The Children & Young People's Autism Service is the autism service for South Staffordshire being provided by Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. The service can be accessed by:

·        Calling 0300 303 0691 between the hours of 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays)

·        Emailing cypautismservice@mpft.nhs.uk

·        Website:  Children and Young People's Autism Service :: Midlands Partnership Foundation Trust (mpft.nhs.uk)

 In North Staffordshire contact CAMHS Autistic Spectrum Disorder Team. Part of North Staffs Combined HealthCare Trust - Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMH) Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Service. Main contact number

·        Telephone 01782 408399

·         Website: North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare CAMHS Autistic Spectrum Disorder

How do I deal with self-harm?

Please note, we are not a crisis service and so if you are worried about the safety of a child as a result of their mental health, please contact your local crisis services.

If you are not concerned about the immediate safety of a child. Read our guidance on dealing with self-harm.