Requests for support should, in most circumstances should be sent to Mindworks from the child or young person's school. Schools are well supported through their School-Based Needs teams, and therefore, in most situations, we would ask that requests for support are made via schools unless clinically urgent.

Clinically urgent requests for support will still be sent to us from GPs, referral through the GP should only be where there is a significant mental health need with associated risk to self or others. Examples of clinically urgent requests would be possible suicide with a plan, significant self-harm, suspected eating disorder, sexual trauma, or if the child or young person is care-experienced and requires therapeutic support, or has a diagnosed Learning Disability and needs LD support.  

We recognise that some families will not want to seek support via their school, and referral routes from a GP will remain available to them. For children and young people not attending school, being educated at home or in independent schools' children or young people will still be supported through their GP.

Requests for support for neurodevelopmental conditions, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), should be made, wherever possible, by schools. Read more information regarding accessing our Neurodevelopmental Diagnostic Pathway.

For CYP who are currently not attending school but remain on the school roll and where the child or young person is experiencing high levels of distress, that is impacting their behaviour and ability to participate in learning, consultations can be booked by the school.

Where requests for support cannot be made via  schools, GPs should use the following:  

  • The national electronic referral system (e-RS) , which is now accepting children’s referrals. Please note: you will not be able to use the link outside of an NHS service site.  
  • Or visit the secure Riviam web portal: Please make your request for support on Google Chrome.   

If you are worried about a child or young person, please call our 24/7 mental health crisis line free on 0800 915 4644. It’s open all day and all night, seven days a week. 

We also have a free out-of-hours phone line that provides advice to parents and carers who are struggling with behaviours or difficulties which could be related to neurodevelopmental needs, such as autism or ADHD. It runs from 5 pm until 11 pm, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Please call 0300 222 5755.

Forms for requests for support (referrals)

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