Children and Young People Mental Health Services

We understand that supporting a young person with mental health needs can be challenging. Our aim is to work with you and provide the help and guidance you need.

How We Support You

  • You’ll be involved in care planning and kept informed about progress.
  • We offer advice and guidance so you can feel confident supporting your child.
  • Visiting and contact options are available – we’ll explain how to stay connected.
  • We help plan for your child’s return home with the right support in place.

Family Ambassador

The Family Ambassador is a non-clinical role, and they work alongside parents and carers of young people admitted to mental health inpatient care. Parents and carers have a unique perspective on the needs of their young person. The Family Ambassador supports parents and carers to be partners in their young person’s care, working together with the clinical teams, ensuring their young person’s needs are at the centre of all decision making.

A Family Ambassador will:

  • Provide information to parents and carers to help them understand what happens when their young person is admitted to mental health inpatient care.
  • Let parents and carers know what to expect at each of the following stages:
    • Pre-admission
    • Admission
    • During their young person’s stay
    • Discharge
  • Make sure that parents and carers are heard, treated as partners, and that their unique perspective forms part of the decision-making.
  • Work alongside their young person’s clinical team
  • Connect parents and carers of young people admitted elsewhere with the relevant local Family Ambassador.

Read more about the family ambassador programme on the eLearning for healthcare website.

Meet Tania – the Family Ambassador for West Yorkshire

Tania is wearing a grey turtle neck jumper and smiling. Tania has long blonde hair.Hello, I’m Tania Webb the Family Ambassador for West Yorkshire. I support parents and carers throughout their young person’s admission to Red Kite View, and up to four weeks after discharge. I have direct knowledge and understanding, through lived experience as a parent of a young person who has been admitted to mental health inpatient care.

My aims:

As a Family Ambassador I want to support parents and carers through some of the challenges they are faced with, when their young person is admitted into mental health inpatient care. It’s a hugely difficult and emotional time for parents and carers and I can help with understanding and preparing for meetings, signposting to other useful services, sharing knowledge of the local area, provide a listening ear, and help answer any questions.

How to contact me:

Carer Support

Supporting someone with a mental health condition can be challenging. Help and support is available. Our NHS Trust uses the Triangle of Care approach based on six principles:

  • Carers are identified at first contact
  • Staff are carer aware and trained in engagement strategies
  • Confidentiality and information-sharing protocols are in place
  • Defined posts responsible for carers are in place
  • Carer introduction to the service and staff is available
  • Carer support services are available

Carer’s Assessment

Under the Care Act 2014, carers have the right to request an assessment of their needs.

It may recommend: local support groups, gym membership, help with taxi fares, advice about benefits.

Assessments are free and available to anyone over 18, carried out by your local council. Learn more about carer’s assessments.

Advocacy

Advocacy can help you express your views, secure your rights, represent your interests, access information, and explore choices.

Advonet provides advocacy in Leeds. Learn more about advocates on the NHS website.

Further Support

  • Carers UK – Information, help and advice for carers.
  • Counselling Directory – A nationwide database of qualified counsellors and psychotherapists.
  • Samaritans – Available 24/7 for emotional support.
  • To share your experiences or get involved, contact Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS).
  • MindMate – Information about local services and how to access them, self help and advice as well as personal accounts by young people.
  • Young Minds – Provides up to date young people friendly information about mental health as well as advice for parents.
  • MindED – Advice and information from trusted sources to help you to understand and identify early issues and best support your child.

Where to Find Support

Carers Group at Red Kite View

Every third Thursday of the month, carers can access peer support and information about the Carers Group. Contact us if you would like to attend.

Young Carers

Leeds Young Carers Support Service (LYCSS) – Supports young carers aged 5–18 and works closely with Carers Leeds for young adult carers aged 16–25.

Email Leeds Young Carers.

BACK TO SERVICE DIRECTORY

Page last updated: 25th Feb 2026 4:10pm

How to find us?