Informal Resolution: The preference is to speak to the staff, Ward Manager or Hospital Manager responsible for care.

Formal Complaint: If it is not resolved, you can submit a formal complaint via email, letter, or the online feedback form on the Trust's PALS:

• Serenity Path: Addressing your concerns and complaints :: Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Foundation Trust

• KMAH: Compliments and complaints - Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust

• Chalkhill: Advice and complaints (PALS) :: Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

• Elysium: Compliments and Complaints Feedback Procedure

Some young people may be offered medication alongside therapy and other supports. It is usually prescribed and reviewed by a psychiatrist or specialist doctor.

Families and young people should be involved in discussions about medication, including benefits, risks, and side effects.

• How to find a therapist: BACP Therapist Directory

• Our register | UKCP

• Counselling Directory - Find a Counsellor Near You

• Find a Therapist, Counsellor, Psychologist - Psychology Today UK

• Bere Clinic - Elysium Healthcare

• Serenity Path Hospital

• Austen House

• Bluebird House

• Blake Day Service

• Emerald Place Clinic

But you are not alone in this. Your child is being held by a team whose goal is to keep them safe, understand what they are going through, and help them move forward. It may take time to find your footing, to learn the language of the ward, and to feel part of the process — and that’s okay.

Trust that you know your child better than anyone. Your voice matters here. Ask questions, share your insights, and take things one step at a time. Even in a place that feels unfamiliar, relationships will form, understanding will grow, and small moments of progress will begin to emerge.

Be gentle with yourself — this is a journey, not something you have to get right all at once.

Kent:

Sussex:

Click on the link below for an information leaflet PDF: https://www.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/Patient_information_leaflet_Nearest_Relative:_Your_nearest_relative_under_the_Mental_Health_Act_1983_(March_2009)

• the CAMHS inpatient pathway

• CAMHS hospitals and Day Services in the South East

• preparing for an admission and the early days

• video tours of the hospitals

• the different roles involved with your child

• leave

• transition into the next chapter

• advocating for you and your child tips

• raising concerns and complaints

• FAQs

• The Right to Choose

• Mental Health Act

  • Informal vs on a Section

  • Parental Rights/Nearest Relative

  • S117 - Aftercare

  • S17 - Child in Need

• consent and age 17

• restrictive practice

• Martha's Rule

• financial: benefits and travel costs

• education support

• called for jury service

• Jargon Buster

• diagnosis

• medications

• therapeutic interventions

• diagnosis assessment Right to Choose

• CETR and DSR

• what are reasonable adjustments?

• eating disorders and neurodivergence (PEACE)

• Oliver McGowan mandatory training

• psychotropic medications

• transfer to Adult services

• Autism support

• ADHD support

• Education and EHCPs are under 'Rights, Legal and Financial'

  
  

• Family Ambassador support

• Triangle of Care

• Carers Support

• siblings

• helplines

It is a short film explaining the importance of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training to help health and care staff better understand people with a learning disability and autistic people, so they can provide safe, respectful and person-centred care.

Please explore the links below! If you have any questions or need a specific recommendation, feel free to reach out.

If it’s not possible for you to do jury service in the next 12 months, you can ask to be excused. You’ll only be allowed to do this in exceptional circumstances, for example you’re a full time carer of someone with an illness or disability.

Respond to the summons

You can respond to your jury summons online but you must respond within 7 days of getting it otherwise you can be fined up to £1,000.

What do Parent Carer EbEs do? - Support and work alongside professionals on projects to bring another viewpoint that comes from their own personal experience.

Services only improve when they

listen to the people who use them.

What you can get involved with:

• Surveys and questionnaires

• Interview panels

• Focus groups & Workshops

• Co-creating resources

• Service development and design

For more information about what we do please contact your Family Ambassador.

Section 19 of the Education Act 1996 places a legal duty on Local Authorities to arrange suitable education for children who cannot attend school because of illness, exclusion or other reasons.

A few important things to know:

Your child does not need an EHCP.

Your child does not need to be physically unwell.

Please click on the image for more information.