Learning Space is a charitable organisation, providing solution focused, therapeutic support to children and young people aged between 5 and 18 years across East Surrey. The service was established in 1997 and offers solution focused 1:1 support, coaching, mentoring and creative activities, tailored to the individual needs of the child or young people. The interventions aim to help children and young people identify what they are good at and build on their strengths.
Learning Space is a charitable organisation, providing solution focused, therapeutic support to children and young people aged between 5 and 18 years across East Surrey. The service was established in 1997 and offers solution focused 1:1 support, coaching, mentoring and creative activities, tailored to the individual needs of the child or young people. The interventions aim to help children and young people identify what they are good at and build on their strengths.
Collaborative working
Since April 2016, Learning Space has been working in a new partnership with Surrey and Borders NHS Foundation Trust: Mindsight Surrey CAMHS. Within this partnership, Learning Space provides 1:1 support for children and young people who need help with their mental health and emotional wellbeing.
Access
As part of the integrated model of Mindsight Surrey CAMHS, Learning Space shares a single point of access, called CAMHS One Stop, which manages all referrals.
Learning Space provides consultation, link work and support for schools to enable early intervention. Local primary and secondary schools are able to enter into service level agreements which enable weekly “buy-in” hours.
Support for families and carers
Learning Space works with parents and carers as appropriate, and recognises them as critical to their work. Interventions are tailored to individuals and may include sessions on relationships, parenting skills and stress management.
Outcome monitoring
Learning space monitors external indicators, such as school attainment and attendance as well as measures of improved confidence, motivation, sociability and resilience.
What makes this service an example of positive practice?
The principles of early help, timely interventions, integrated working and co-production are embedded in our successful delivery model, making Learning Space an exact fit for preventative one to one early help. In particular, the emphasis on individual strengths as the starting point for assessments and holistic understandings of need, make our solution-focused mode of delivery ideal for this approach. Our skilled team of key practitioners are expert at building trusting relationships with children and young people, delivering personalised support using an evidence based methodology which both engages and facilitates positive change in behaviour, attitudes and well-being. With the option of wider family involvement if needed, our one to one programme successfully delivers positive outcomes for children, young people and their families.
Further details
Commissioning
Surrey and Borders NHS Trust, Local Education Authority, Individual Schools
Providers
Learning Space in collaboration with Mindsight Surrey CAMHS
Workforce
9 members of staff with professional backgrounds in education, social care, health and youth work – additionally trained in solution focused methodology. 1 ASD specialist.
Population size
Total population – 1176549, under 18 – 258999 (Office of National Statistics 2016 mid-year population estimates for Surrey). The schools service covers Reigate and Banstead, Mole Valley and mentoring in Reigate and Banstead and Tandridge
Caseload
550 annually
Prevention and resilience – universal and early intervention for at risk
Access and advice – consultation lines, triage and signposting
