Mental health is just as important as physical health, and the rise in mental health challenges among children and young people, means it’s important that the right support is available. Whether it's anxiety, depression, or the pressures of growing up, our website has a variety of tools, resources, and services to help.
At Mersey Care we work in partnership to improve the health and wellbeing for children, young people and their families. Our Children’s services are delivered by a highly trained and well supported staff
We make reasonable adjustments routinely working with children and young people to make sure everyone can engage fully, fairly, and comfortably with our support.
These adjustments are tailored each individual and may include changes to how we communicate, session structure, environment, or sensory and emotional support.
Adjustments are agreed collaboratively, kept flexible, and reviewed regularly so they remain helpful. Our aim is always to reduce barriers, support wellbeing, and create the best possible conditions for young people to participate and benefit from the support we offer.
Drop in – no appointment needed
There are informal drop ins where young people up to 18 years, parents and carers can drop by to speak with a mental health professional for assessment, advice and signposting to local services.
- Tuesday 2.30pm to 4.30pm at Brookvale Children's Centre Woodhatch Road, Runcorn, WA7 6BJ
- Thursday 2.30pm to 4.30pm at Warrington Road Childrens’ Centre, Widnes WA8 0BS
- Every Friday 10.30am to 12.30pm at The Pride Centre, Simmonswood Lane Kirkby L33 5YP
- Every Friday 2pm to 4pm at Sutton Family Hub, Ellamsbridge Road, WA9 2PY
- Seven days a week 3.30pm to 7.30pm at Warrington Youth Zone, Dallam Lane, WA2 7NG.
Self Referral
You can call us Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm to self refer your child:
- Halton 01928 568 162
- Knowsley 0151 351 8610
- St Helens 01925 579 405
- Warrington 01925 575 904
Crisis Response
Our 24 hour crisis response team is for young people up to the age of 18 experiencing a crisis needing an emergency response. Call NHS 111 and select the mental health option.
Or you can contact us on 01744 415 640
What to expect when you come for an appointment
You can watch and share a short film about our building, where to park, how to get in, where you will sit and what to expect.
SEND Parent Carer Forums
Speak to a member of staff at your appointment or contact your local team for details.
You can call us Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm:
- Halton 01928 568 162
- Knowsley 0151 351 8610
- St Helens 01925 579 405
- Warrington 01925 575 904
Animal Safari Sessions
Speak to a member of staff at your next appointment about about booking on to a session.
Moving into adult services
Changing from children's to adult services easy read guide :: Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
Autism Passport
Mersey Care has launched a new Online Autism Passport, designed in collaboration with autistic people and local support groups, to strengthen personalised care, improve communication, and ensure chlidren and young people people receive more consistent support across a range of services. The Online Autism Passport is now available to download, complete, and save via Mersey Care’s Autism Spectrum Condition Services webpage.
Finding the right activities for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) can be transformative for their development, socialisation, and wellbeing. We’ve gathered a list of inclusive and engaging activities designed to support your child’s sensory, physical, and emotional needs, while also providing fun opportunities for learning and growth.
These activities are designed to provide enriching experiences for children of all abilities, ensuring they have access to play, learning, and development in a supportive and inclusive environment.
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The Local Offer provides essential information about local agencies in education, health, and social care, giving you greater choice and control over the support your child needs. It includes details on special educational provision, social care services, additional educational options, training opportunities, travel arrangements to schools and colleges, and preparation for adulthood in areas like housing and employment. Additionally, it outlines eligibility criteria, decision making processes, encourages feedback to enhance services, and assists families seeking a personal budget. |
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The Local Offer helps parents and young people understand and access services for children with special educational needs and disabilities in their area. In St. Helens, trained professionals called HALOs are available to assist with navigating the Local Offer website. Easily identified by their lanyards, HALOs support those who may struggle with online access or prefer in-person assistance. They can help with signposting to the website, logging onto computers, adjusting accessibility settings, and finding or explaining information.
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The Sensory Hive started as an idea in 2017 and has grown into an organisation providing vital therapeutic and educational services for the disabled community in Merseyside, UK. As parents of neurodivergent children, we understand the challenges sensory processing conditions pose and how they can lead to social isolation in a busy, overwhelming world. Our specialist sensory integration therapy center in Whiston, Knowsley, offers a sensory gym, immersive interactive rooms, occupational therapy, rebound therapy, hobby clubs, and sensory development classes for infants and children, aiming to create safe spaces and promote understanding within the community. |
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Sensory Swim and Health Merseyside CIC offers a supportive and inclusive environment for children and adults with additional needs to enjoy swimming. We understand that some children may find it difficult to participate in mainstream swimming lessons due to physical or neurological impairments. Providing both integrated and private sensory swimming sessions tailored to meet each individual’s needs. Our facility removes barriers to participation, giving your child the choice of joining group sessions or enjoying one-on-one time in a private setting, ensuring they feel comfortable, safe, and able to relax while exercising. |
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Daisy Inclusive UK is a charity dedicated to helping disabled and vulnerable individuals, along with their families, reach their full potential. Through the Isolation to Inclusion (I2I) strategy, we offer a person centred approach that provides tailored support at every step of the journey. The services include creating Personal Development Plans, providing disability awareness training, offering support with disability hate crime reporting, and delivering inclusive sports and physical activities. They also focus on social readiness, pre-employability skills, and giving advice and guidance to help families navigate challenges and promote inclusion. Whether you're seeking education, support, or guidance, we are here to help every step of the way. |
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Moving Senses - Positive Futures provides a supportive and stimulating environment for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The sessions are designed to help them build social and emotional skills through interaction with peers, while engaging in activities tailored to their individual needs. With a child centred approach, we offer small group and one to one sessions that include arts and crafts, therapeutic sensory activities like massage and aromatherapy, relaxation techniques, and cooking and nutrition. The focus is on creating a safe, sensory rich environment that empowers each child to grow, make choices, and enjoy their learning experience. |
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Mersey Care Community Dental Service offers specialised dental care for children and adults in Liverpool, Sefton, and Knowsley. Patients are referred to the service by their General Dental Practitioner or other healthcare professionals. The service also provides NHS dental treatment and preventative care through its Personal Dental Service Clinics in Vauxhall and River Alt. These clinics include a teaching facility for dental students and newly qualified dentists. |
The Brain Charity: Neurological conditions are a diverse group of over 600 disorders affecting the brain, spinal cord, or nervous system. Some are well-known, like stroke, dementia, cluster headaches, and ADHD, while others, such as trigeminal neuralgia, Alice in Wonderland Syndrome, and Huntington’s disease, are rarer.
These conditions vary greatly: some, like brain injuries, occur suddenly; others, like epilepsy, are present from birth; and some, such as multiple sclerosis, develop gradually. The Brain Charity is the only UK organisation dedicated to supporting individuals affected by all of these conditions.
The Autistic Society's mission is to support the 700,000 autistic people in the UK and their families. Whether by running specialist schools, advocating for better rights, or training businesses to be more autism-friendly, we are committed to transforming lives and shifting perceptions.
Cerebralpalsy.org.uk supports individuals affected by cerebral palsy, a condition estimated to impact 1 in every 400 babies born in the UK. With approximately 700,000 births annually in England and Wales, this translates to around 1,700 new cases each year. Many charities and organisations offer assistance to those with cerebral palsy, and cerebralpalsy.org.uk provides impartial information on a wide range of topics relevant to those affected.
The website includes tips, guides, and advice to support individuals and families navigating life with cerebral palsy.
A brain injury can affect every aspect of life - movement, speech, thought, and emotion - often resulting in serious, lasting changes. It can feel like losing both the life you knew and the person you were. While it’s easy to think "it won’t happen to me," around 350,000 people are hospitalized with an acquired brain injury each year - about one person every 90 seconds.
- Visit Headway - the brain injury association website
Family Fund believes families raising disabled or seriously ill children should have the same opportunities, quality of life, and aspirations as others. They work every day to make this a reality by:
Providing grants to low-income families for items they may struggle to afford, such as family breaks, digital equipment, white goods, clothing, bedding, furniture, and play equipment
Offering services to help parents and carers achieve their goals, including support with money, benefits, mental health, and practical workshops on using digital tools
Creating opportunities for families to share experiences and influence change on issues that matter to them.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) is a free, impartial, and confidential service for young people with SEND and their parents or carers.
Each local authority in England has a SENDIAS service. search for your local areas for your SENDIAS service.
Support for you as a carer
Caring for somebody else can be really difficult, and it is important for carers to try to look after themselves at the same time.
Here are some services that offer support to carers:
- Carers UK offer information about different types of support available to support you and the person you care for
- Carers Trust provides information and support for unpaid carers
- Mersey Care offers a service to support carers. You can find out more information about the service and what they offer on our Caring for our carers webpage
- For support with your mental health, you can self refer to Talking Therapies. This service offers support for depression and anxiety. You can find your local Talking Therapies service by typing ‘Talking Therapies’ into Our services
- You can also contact your local authority for a care needs assessment. This involves somebody from the local council visiting you to identify the needs of you or the person you care for. They will then come up with a plan for how to support you, which could include respite or formal care hours.
Some of our services include:
Children and young people's mental health service
Child and Young People’s Health Services - previously known as CAMHS - support children and young people up to age 18 with their emotional and mental health and wellbeing.
Child and Young People's Mental Health Service - Crisis Response Team
The 24 hour response team is for young people up to the age of 18 experiencing emotional, behavioural or mental health difficulties which are causing difficulties in their school, family or social life.
Eating Disorder Service for Children and Young People
Our Eating Disorder Service are here to treat and support children and young people aged 8 to 18 years old living in Halton, Knowsley, St Helens, and Warrington boroughs with symptoms of an eating disorder.
Early Intervention in Psychosis Service
Our Early Intervention teams work with people between the ages of 14 and 65 who are experiencing psychosis for the first time.
Mental Health Support Team in schools
The Mental Health Support Team in Schools promotes early detection and prevention of mental health problems across the whole school and strengthens links between schools and mental health services.
School Health Teams
The School Health Teams work closely with children and young people, parents, carers and teachers, promoting health and wellbeing.
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust’s Mental Health Support Teams in schools have released new interactive workbooks designed to help young people, parents and education staff learn new ways to improve their mental health and wellbeing.
Our MC Magazine has features on body image, positive male role models, supporting children after a distressing event and tips on managing their worries.
Who can boys turn to as they become men?
We look at the influence of social media on young men’s identity and talk to an expert about the importance of positive male role models. Read more in our MC Magazine.
Body talk
Social media is a huge part of growing up. But what’s the cost to children’s mental health? We ask experts and hear real stories. Eight out of ten feel too much pressure from the media. Body image issues among young people are escalating. Read more in our MC Magazine.
How do you talk to a child about their worries?
Traumatic events like an accident, the death of a loved one, a burglary, a natural disaster or a terrorist attack can have a big impact on children, even if they weren’t directly involved. Read more in our MC Magazine.
The kids are alright
Animal therapy sessions are having a profound impact on the mental wellbeing of youngsters, read more in our MC Magazine.
Monster Munch
Children in care can experience trauma from their adverse experiences. We talk to a nurse about how a small toy with a big appetite is making a huge difference. Read more in our MC Magazine.
Read more articles by visiting our MC Magazine page on our website.
If you’re struggling with anorexia, or supporting someone who is, there’s a new way to get help.
TRIANGLE is a new online platform created by Mersey Care’s Children’s Eating Disorder Service (CEDS). It’s designed for young people and their families to feel more supported during recovery.
TRIANGLE gives you access to videos, workbooks, and weekly online forums where you can learn, share, and connect with others who understand what you’re going through.
Young people say it’s easier to open up online, and parents have found it comforting to hear from others going through similar things. It’s a safe space for everyone involved.
Available in Halton, Knowsley, St Helens and Warrington - ask your care team to get started.
There is a guidance and resources for professionals working to support children, young people and families with self harm and suicide prevention. These include child friendly safety plans, coping strategies and apps to support wellbeing.
Below is a link to the Cheshire and Merseyside Suicide Prevention Partnership which has support booklets full of information for children and young people who self injure or self harm.
Suicide Prevention
If you have been assessed and placed on a waiting list for the most suitable treatment, there are other services you can use while you wait:
Kooth
A self referral service you can access online through their website. You can choose what level of support you feel would be helpful. Kooth offers a variety of self help resources, counsellor moderated chat rooms aimed to provide peer support, and you can choose to book one to one counselling sessions via the online system.
Young Minds
Young Minds is a mental health charity for children, young people and their parents or carers. It provides them with the tools to get the mental health support they need.
Alumina
Free online self harm support for 10 to 17 year olds. A seven week course for young people, which can be
accessed through your phone, tablet, or laptop.
Calm Harm
An app which provides immediate activities and techniques to support you to break the cycle of self harm and explore triggers.
Moodjuice
Online resources for emotional difficulties. Problem focused. Information and advice.
If you want to speak to someone you can contact your local Children and Young People’s Mental Health Team from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays) on:
Halton: 01928 568 162
Knowsley: 0151 351 8610
St Helens: 01925 579 405
Warrington: 01925 575 904
There is more help availble about staying safe on the website here
If you need urgent help, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option. If you are unable to keep yourself safe, please go to your local A&E emergency department.
