Psychological Perspectives in Education and Primary Care (PPEPCare) Project

1. Standardised teaching materials are developed for people working in primary care (GPs, nurses, health visitors and so on) and educational settings
2. CAMHS staff (can also be Educational Psychologists) with appropriate clinical experience and other necessary qualities are identified and invited to attend a Train the Trainer workshop
3. Information about the training is distributed locally (to primary care and schools) and CAMHS staff deliver the training according to local demand (free of charge)
4. Designed to be portable (i.e. can be run anywhere at anytime) and flexible (i.e. can be customised to suit local need and the amount of time available)

The PPEPCare Project is composed of:

Part A – an initial Train the Trainer programme. Mental health practitioners with appropriate clinical experience and other necessary qualities are identified and invited to attend a specific programme.

Part B – an ongoing programme of central support to ensure the continued delivery of high-quality, evidence-based training on up to 17 different PPEPCare training modules.

Part C – area local lead. Areas need to ensure a ‘lead’ person is allocated to support the project locally. The lead will need to be trained as a trainer and have capacity to actively support implementation and delivery of the project in the area.

Areas wishing to develop PPEPCare training need to be able to commit to parts A, B and C as described above. For information on costings, please contact: [email protected]

The areas covered by PPEPCare were originally identified by GPs, other primary healthcare professionals, teachers and other school staff to meet their identified learning needs. Each training module is written by national and international experts in the field.

Modules address common mental health issues seen in children and young people and cover: (i) identification of relevant signs and symptoms of mental health difficulties, (ii) understanding why disorders persist (using a cognitive behavioural framework), and (iii) how to support children and young people and their families.

Each training module has been designed to take around 90 minutes to deliver. However, the training can also be delivered in shorter or longer sessions – e.g. 30 minutes over lunchtime or a half-day session. Training can be arranged to take place at a location convenient for those being trained – trainers can travel to GP surgeries, hospitals, schools and other appropriate locations. Sessions can be delivered free of charge by specially trained, local CAMHS staff and adapted to local needs.

Overview of common mental health issues in children and young people

A brief introduction to the mental health issues often seen by professionals in frontline work with children and young people. The module highlights risk issues and describes local and national resources. This is primarily an information-giving session designed to help staff identify mental health issues and offer appropriate help to children, young people and their families. Professionals are also helped to identify their own further training needs.

NOW: Having constructive conversations with distressed young people

How to recognize distress, how it may present in young people and how to respond in the moment. Develop an understanding of the changes that occur in teenage brains and how this impacts young people. Identify the barriers to communication and develop the relevant skills to communicate effectively with distressed young people. Learn about a structure known as ‘NOW’ to facilitate helpful and constructive conversations with children and young people.

Supporting young people with low mood

What depression is, how it may present in young people and how it may differ from ‘normal’ adolescent mood difficulties. How low mood and depression may be maintained, and useful techniques (specifically behavioural activation) that can be used to break the maintenance cycles.

Supporting young people with anxiety 

The presentation of anxiety in adolescence and how to talk with young people about it. Exploring the difference between appropriate levels of anxiety and when additional help might be needed. Looking at what might keep anxiety going and an overview of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (an evidence-based treatment for anxiety) and useful techniques for your setting.

Overcoming childhood anxiety

Managing anxiety in children under 12. Highlighting when anxiety might be a problem (as opposed to a ‘normal’ developmental phase), different anxiety disorders and how these can be recognised and discussed. Exploring why treatment is important and a detailed overview of a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy approach aimed at parents. Key strategies to use within professional roles are highlighted, and the role of parental/adult behaviour (how they respond to the child’s anxiety) is explored.

Supporting young people who self-harm 

What self-harm is and how it might present. Exploring why young people might self-harm and challenging commonly held assumptions. Guidance on how to talk to young people who may be self-harming, confidentiality, dealing with your own feelings and supporting young people with alternative strategies.

Supporting children with separation anxiety disorder (SAD) 

What SAD is and how it may present (including what ‘healthy’ versus ‘pathological’ separation anxiety might look like). Assessment strategies (including useful questions) are discussed and the role that attachment figures (e.g. parents/carers) may play in SAD is considered. Three key steps for overcoming SAD are explored, along with relevant psychoeducation that can be used to help support parents and carers.

Supporting young people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

What is PTSD and how it may present (including how it may present differently in children and young people). Assessment tools and useful questions are explored, as well as a description of why difficulties may persist. An introduction to CBT for children and young people who have experienced trauma and guidance on working with parents.

Supporting children and young people with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

What OCD is, how it presents and how you can assess it (including the kinds of questions that you might want to ask a child or young person). Exploring factors that maintain OCD and how you can help a young person to understand what might be maintaining their difficulties.

Attachment

The module aims to help those working with children and young people to understand attachment theory and its importance to a child’s development. It explores how pupils with attachment difficulties present at school age. How to support children with attachment difficulties in school and the community.

Supporting children and young people with specific phobia 

Helping staff to assess specific phobias and employ basic Cognitive Behavioural Therapy techniques with children and young people who present with specific phobia. Useful assessment questions and an introduction to the CBT model and treatment strategies (including graded exposure and managing physical symptoms).

Working with families

Explore systems theory using teaching, discussion and practical exercises to help you understand families and the impact of mental health issues. Develop a toolkit to support young people and their families. Focuses on practical skills to talk with families, particularly in challenging situations (including questions, reframing and exploring meanings) to promote change.

Behavioural difficulties: Supporting children and their parents via a parenting intervention

Conduct disorder and challenging behaviours and why it is important to offer support. Providing an overview of the key principles and components of a parenting programme and how this option might be introduced to parents.

Supporting young people with eating disorders

What eating disorders are and how they might present. Guidance around how to explore difficulties and risks in this area and useful questions to ask young people. The importance of referral to specialist services and what treatment might look like in this setting.

Autism and mental health, Part 1 

Helping to develop a broad understanding of children and young people on the autism spectrum, looking at key features and issues. Exploring the world through the eyes of a child or young person with autism and how to use practical strategies, including helpful communication styles and environmental changes.

Autism and mental health, Part 2

The relationship between autism and mental health. Exploring the way in which mental health issues present in children and young people with autism, with a focus on anxiety, depression and OCD. The module includes ways to support young people and their families with autism and mental health difficulties, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy strategies and different techniques to manage and regulate emotions.

ADHD

Recognizing ADHD and how it may present in children and young people. Understanding the diagnosis process and what medication may be prescribed. Understanding the challenges faced in school and home life. Strategies to support children and young people in educational and other settings.