A Single Point of Access for Mental Health Support
CYP as One is a web-based platform designed to streamline access to mental health services for children and young people (CYP) in Sefton and Liverpool. The platform offers a single digital referral form and a wealth of resources for CYP, families, and professionals. By simplifying the referral process and enhancing accessibility, CYP as One delivers timely, targeted support for those who need it most.
The Challenge: A Fragmented Referral Process
Feedback from children and young people revealed that navigating mental health services was often confusing and overwhelming. They struggled to access the right resources, and the referral process lacked clarity and consistency. Once in the system, users found it difficult to receive timely support or understand where they were in their care journey. This highlighted the need for a more integrated, accessible, and user-friendly solution.
The Solution: Co-Designed for Real-World Needs
CYP as One brought together 13 organisations delivering mental health services, including NHS providers and voluntary sector organisations, to create a single point of access. Key features of the platform include:
- One digital referral form that connects users to the right service at the right time.
- A user-friendly interface offering support and resources for CYP, families, and professionals.
- Co-design with input from over 100 children, parents, and professionals, ensuring the platform reflects real-world needs and experiences.
- A focus on early intervention, empowering CYP to access resources and self-manage their mental health.
This innovative approach delivered a new digital model of care, simplifying processes while improving outcomes for users.
Positive Outcomes: Efficiency, Safety, and Access
The implementation of CYP as One has led to significant improvements across key areas:
- Improved efficiency in processing referrals:
- Automation software has enhanced resource sustainability by reducing manual processes.
- Seamless referral redirection:
- Referrals can now be seamlessly re-directed between partner organisations, improving user experience.
- Enhanced patient safety:
- Advanced referral processing technology has reduced wait times, ensuring patients are seen by the right service faster.
- Greater access for patients:
- A public-facing portal has increased self-referrals from CYP and families, making services and resources more accessible.
By enabling referrers to complete a single digital referral form and encouraging self-referrals from CYP and parents, the platform has simplified access to mental health support while reducing administrative burdens.
Scaling Success Across Cheshire & Merseyside
Following the success in Sefton and Liverpool, CYP as One is now being replicated across seven additional locations in partnership with the Cheshire & Merseyside Integrated Care Board (ICB). This ambitious expansion involves collaboration with key stakeholders, including developers, clinical and operational representatives, and members of the ICS.
By scaling this model, CYP as One continues to transform mental health services, improving access, efficiency, and outcomes for children, young people, and families across the region.