- Need Technical Assistance? palmshct@getvfairs.io
10am – 12pm OR 12pm – 2pm
PALMS is evolving and we want to welcome additional clinicians to be part of our vibrant and multi-disciplinary team! Today is all about meeting you and helping you to get a feel of our team and what it is like to work in our dynamic and innovative service. Today will be an opportunity to meet the team, hear about the work we do, network, ask questions and see first-hand, the continued evolution of the service. We are looking forward to meeting other motivated and forward thinking clinicians who are passionate about and have a desire to contribute to change in a vibrant NHS team and are dedicated to supporting CYP with autism and/or learning disability and their families We would encourage you to visits our booths and chat to our team, sharing your experiences and goals. All the booths will be manned by team members ready and able to answer questions. There will be webinars as well as presentations as well as information for you to take away and access at your leisure. We have a number of job opportunities live now and would encourage you to visit our careers booth to find out more information.
PALMS works across Hertfordshire providing a specialist multi-disciplinary approach. PALMS is a CAMHS commissioned service which offers individually tailored support for children and young people (CYP), aged 0-18 who have a global learning disability and/or Autistic Spectrum Disorder, helping families to manage challenging behaviour, toileting, feeding and sleeping concerns which have not benefitted from community interventions and/or to support mental health needs which cannot be met with reasonable adjustment by other CAMHS services. Additionally, PALMS also supports problematic sexualised behaviours. Interventions include workshops, groups, individual therapy, parent as therapist sessions, and a family clinic. PALMS aims to keep children and young people with their families thereby improving outcomes for all family members. PALMS predominantly applies narrative, systemic, positive behaviour, and bio-psycho social models adhering to the STOMP / STAMP and Transforming Care Agendas.
The PALMS’ crisis team includes an Administrator, Clinical Psychologist, Consultant Psychiatrist, Outreach Workers, Mental Health Practitioners and a Specialist Positive Behaviour Analyst. This MDT work together and in collaboration with the wider PALMS’ MDT to support CYP at significant risk of being placed out of county and/or requiring an inpatient bed. The team offer input to up to 350 CYP per annum by: triaging calls; undertaking risk assessments; supporting CYP/Parents/Carers in distress; liaising with the CYP’s wider support network; managing immediate safeguarding; referring on to other providers/support services; and, undertaking urgent and immediate assessment of need. These elements of the service are available Monday – Friday 8.30am – 6.30pm. In addition, the crisis team provides an intensive package of support to up to 80 CYP per annum. The intensive package of support is tailored to the CYP and their family. The evidence highlights that these interventions require a minimum of 8 hours per week, and up to 15 hours per week from the team to reduce and manage the risks, enable full understanding of needs, support the presentation, and prevent escalation. This involves family and individual sessions, observations and PBS support which could include group support for families in crisis.
The MHST delivers evidence based interventions supporting emotional wellbeing, primarily in an educational setting. This includes group interventions, individual interventions, consultation and training and incorporates full assessments of care needs and risk assessments. The ultimate aim of the MHST is to support a whole school approach to develop, build and support emotional well-being. The SEN MHST is hosted by PALMS and is the only MHST nationally that is solely working with the SEN population. PALMS therefore are active in supporting the National Team regarding the training, skills, job roles, models and approaches required of MHSTs to support the population. The service is principally available Monday to Friday 8.30am – 6pm.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as a mental health service, PALMS are classed as a service that continues to run and also to offer enhanced services as required. In line with government and NHS guidance, the predominant method of delivery of service is currently via video or telephone. Face to face appointments are still offered when deemed clinically necessary and in ensuring all guidance is adhered to.
