Who this service is for
The service is a psychotherapy and placement support service commissioned by Haringey Council. The service is for children and young people in Haringey care who are in short-term placements or placements that need extra support. We also offer support for children and young people who are either between placements or in the process of leaving care.
The service offers both support for children as well as support and training for social workers, foster carers, parents and teachers.
We accept referrals from birth up to 23 years if the young person is engaged in the Leaving Care service. We also see refugees and unaccompanied minors in Haringey care.
Why refer to this service?
The Tavistock-Haringey service is recognised as an example of best-practice where services are successfully managing to cut placement moves for children.
Children and young people in care have had traumatic family breakdowns. They may find it difficult to settle into foster care or residential placements, or to manage the transition to independence when they leave care. Sometimes they communicate their worries and distress through behaviour that is difficult for carers and teachers to understand or contain. Their placements are at risk, and multiple placements and school moves often lead to poor educational, social and mental health outcomes.
Our clinicians work with children and young people in care to help them understand their feelings and cope better with the difficulties they have to manage. The service is staffed by a multi-disciplinary group with contributions from child and adolescent psychotherapy, psychology, social work and psychiatry. The staff works closely together in order to make the most of different team members' expertise and skills.
Kinds of treatment offered
All our interventions aim to help young people and their carers understand and manage the emotional and behavioural difficulties that result from disruption, trauma and loss. We try to help young people and their carers maintain secure, stable placements or have appropriately planned moves. Our clinicians offer consultations and short to medium term therapeutic interventions. These include:
- consultations to social workers and teachers
- parenting work for foster and birth parents
- family sessions
- therapeutic assessments
- individual and group therapy
- staff support groups
- teaching.
We specialise in working with children and young people in transitional or unstable placements, their carers and support networks.
How to refer
Any social services, education or health professional can request that a social worker (of a child, young person or foster carer) refer a child or young person to us.
Professionals can refer to the Tavistock-Haringey Service by calling our administrator on 020 8938 2225 or mobile 078 1751 5524 to discuss a referral and obtain a referral form. All professionals considering a referral are welcome to call our administrator to arrange a time to speak with a clinician.
