Children and Young People Mental Health Services
Welcome to Red Kite View
Red Kite View is our specialist mental health inpatient unit for young people. It’s a safe and supportive place where you can get extra help when things feel overwhelming.
Who We Support
We care for young people aged 13 to 18 who need more help than can be provided at home or in the community. You’ll stay with us for a short time while we help you feel safe and start your recovery.
When and Why You Might Come to Red Kite View
You might come to Red Kite View if:
- You’re finding it hard to keep yourself safe
- You need intensive support for your mental health
- You have a condition such as:
- Depression or anxiety
- Eating disorders
- Psychosis
- Other serious mental health difficulties
What to Expect
- A friendly team who will listen and support you
- A safe space to rest and recover
- Therapies and activities to help you feel better
- Support for your family too
- Learn more about Skylark – General Assessment Unit
- Learn more about Lapwing – Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit

For Parents and Carers
We know this can be a worrying time for families. Here’s what you can expect:
- Involvement in care – You’ll be part of the care planning process and kept informed about progress.
- Support for you – We offer advice and guidance so you can feel confident supporting your child.
- Visits and contact – You can visit and stay in touch regularly. We’ll explain visiting times and how to keep connected.
- Planning for home – We’ll work with you to make sure your child has the right support when they leave.
Please see our support for parents and carers page for more information.
How to Get Help
You can’t refer yourself directly to Red Kite View. A mental health professional will talk to you and your family first and decide if this is the right place for you.
Access and Referral
Red Kite View processes access assessments for the whole West Yorkshire region. If a young person may need inpatient care, their care coordinator or community team member must complete a Tier 4 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Referral form. Please email West Yorkshire referrals to request a referral form.
After referral, an initial assessment is arranged as soon as possible with the young person, their family or carer, and the referrer. In urgent cases (e.g., Mental Health Act detention), this can be done as a desktop assessment. A desktop assessment is an evaluation carried out without meeting the young person face-to-face. Instead, the assessment is based on existing information, such as clinical notes, reports, and input from professionals who know the young person.
The assessment looks at the young person’s current situation, support needs, and whether admission is appropriate. If inpatient care is required, the referring team, supported by NHS England, will find a bed and arrange admission.
Community-based children and young people’s mental health services across West Yorkshire
For Leeds:
- Visit the Leeds MindMate Single Point of Access webpage or call the team on 0300 555 0324 during office hours.
- You can find more general information at MindMate.
For Bradford:
For Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees, and Wakefield:
- Visit South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s website for a list of the child and adolescent mental health services they provide in the region.
What Happens Next?
If you’ve just been referred:
- Assessment – A mental health professional will meet with you and your family to understand what you need.
- Admission – If Red Kite View is right for you, we’ll arrange your stay and explain what to bring.
- Your Stay – You’ll have your own room, meet the team, and start your care plan.
- Formulation – We’ll work together to create a shared understanding of your experiences and needs, and agree a plan to help you move forward.
- Outcome Measures – We’ll ask you to complete some questionnaires to help us understand how you’re feeling and track your progress during your stay.
- Planning Ahead – We’ll work with you and your family to plan for when you leave, so you feel supported at home.
Urgent help
If you or someone you know needs immediate medical help, call 999. If you’re not sure what to do, visit NHS 111 online, call 111 and select option 2 for mental health, or visit our Urgent Help page.
Services by phone
| Area | Service Name | Hours of operation | Phone Number |
| Leeds | Leeds Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service Crisis Call Line | 8am – 8pm 7 days | Freephone: 0800 953 0505 |
| Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale or Craven | First Response Crisis Service | Available 24 hours a day | 0800 952 1181 |
| Wakefield | Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service Response and Crisis Help Team | Monday – Sunday, 9am – 8pm | 0197 773 5865 |
| Calderdale | Single Point of Access | Available 24 hours a day | 0142 230 0001 |
| Kirklees | Single Point of Access | Available 24 hours a day | 0300 304 5555 |
| All areas | Night Owls – Overnight Listening/ Advice Service | 8pm – 8am 7 days |
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| All areas | Papyrus – HOPELINEUK | Available 24 hours a day |
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Useful links:
- MindWell (Leeds): Local mental health support and crisis advice
- MindMate (Leeds): Support for young people thinking about suicide
- Night Owls (West Yorkshire): Helpline for children, young people, and parents/carers
- Papyrus HOPELINE247: Suicide prevention support for under 35s
- Mind website: More information about crisis service contacts
Other sources of support (non-crisis)
- Childline: Call 0800 1111 (Free, 24/7)
- Samaritans: Call 116 123 (Free, 24/7)
Page last updated: 25th Feb 2026 4:22pm