Who are we?

Headroom are an NHS service working with Barnardo’s supporting young people who have experienced a first episode of psychosis (FEP). We work with 14-25 year olds, who have not previously been offered a full early intervention for psychosis, for three years following the first episode.

Headroom team information

How to find us


Contact and referral to the service

If you suspect psychosis or have concerns about someone having psychosis and need advice on how to get the right help then contact us (see the bottom of the page).

For young people with suspected psychosis who are seen by their General Practitioner (GP) the GP will refer them to a community mental health team (CMHT). A joint appointment with Headroom and the CMHT will be made within two weeks of the referral.

For those under 18 years of age the referral will go to child and adolescent mental health services and from there a choice plus appointment will be booked with Headroom. The person will be seen within two weeks of the referral to Headroom.

For young people who have been seen by another team for example an early intervention team from a different area then a referral should be made directly to Headroom

What happens next

Within two weeks of being referred to Headroom the young person will be contacted and a time arranged to meet up with them. As best we can we will make this a place where the person is most comfortable being seen for example at home, or at a clinic near the person.

The aim of the first meeting will be to work out whether the problems the person is facing is psychosis or best explained in another way. To do this the clinician will ask the person to explain what is happening to them, how it first started and how much it troubles them. Sometimes it takes a couple of meetings to fully understand.

Afterwards we will talk through with the young person the outcome of the assessment and then work with them to organise the best way forward. In most cases this will mean Headroom offering to take the person on for treatment and care. But it may mean directing them to another service.

 


Headroom: Treatment and care

A range of interventions are known to help the young person get back on track. These include;

  • Cognitive behaviour therapy for psychosis
  • Medication
  • Family intervention
  • Family or carer Support
  • Low intensity psychological therapies
    • Help with sleep or insomnia
    • How to mange worrying thoughts
    • managing anxiety
    • beating low mood and getting active
  • Barnardo’s support workers
  • Education and employment support

 


Contact the team

Tel: 029 21824227

Early Intervention in Psychosis Service

Avon House

Stanwell Road,

Penarth

Vale of Glamorgan

CF64 2EZ