New Tees Valley Getting Help Service Launches to Transform Mental Health Support for Children and Young People
A major new investment from NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) is set to transform mental health support for children and young people across Tees Valley, helping them access the right support at the right time.
The new Tees Valley Getting Help Service will provide support for children and young people aged five to 18, and up to 25 for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
Delivered by Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with Alliance Psychological Services, The Link CIC, Teesside Mind, Changing Futures North East and The Junction Foundation, the service brings together experienced organisations with a shared mission: ensuring young people receive timely, compassionate mental health support when they need it most.
The service will be delivered in schools, community venues and other local settings across Tees Valley, making support more accessible for families. Alongside direct support for children and young people, the programme will also provide advice, guidance and training for parents, carers, school staff and professionals, helping adults feel more confident in supporting young people with their emotional wellbeing.
Young People Help Shape the Service Identity
As part of the launch, schools across Tees Valley were invited to help design a logo for the new service, and the response was fantastic.
We’re delighted to announce that a submission from students at Archway Horizons Trust was selected as the winning design. The logo brilliantly captures the spirit and identity of the Tees Valley community.
As a thank you, the school received a £500 prize, which students chose to invest in a health and wellbeing initiative, creating a positive legacy from the competition and further supporting student wellbeing.
Official Launch Events Held Across Tees Valley
This week marked the official launch of the service, with a series of events taking place across Tees Valley bringing together partners, professionals and community organisations to celebrate the beginning of this important new chapter for children’s mental health support in the region.
The launch events featured talks from:
- Lynn Massam, Commissioning Manager – Integrated Care Board (ICB)
- James Graham, CAHMS General Manager, Tees Esk and Wear Valley NHS Trust
- Deb Lyth, North Tees Getting Help Team Manager (Alliance Psychology)
Attendees also had the opportunity to meet a range of organisations and services supporting children and young people across Tees Valley, including:
- Mental Health Support Teams
- Parent Carer Forums
- Early Help
- Inclusion
- HeadStart
- Growing Healthy 0-19 Service
- Getting More Help – CAMHS
More community events for children, young people and families will be taking place over the coming months, with further updates and details to be shared soon.
What Partners Are Saying
“We know that early support can make a huge difference to a child or young person’s mental health and wellbeing. This new service is about making help easier to access, reducing barriers for families, and ensuring young people feel listened to, supported and understood within their own communities.”
Deb Lyth, North Tees Getting Help Team Manager (Alliance Psychology)
“The launch of Getting Advice and Getting Help marks an important step forward for mental health support across Tees Valley. I feel incredibly proud and privileged to be working alongside such passionate local providers and the wider collective workforce, all united by a shared drive to make a meaningful difference for children, young people and their families. By bringing together experienced organisations and delivering support within schools and communities, we can provide earlier intervention and help improve outcomes for those who need it most.”
Kaye Hooker, Assistant Director, Children, Young People & Families Service (Alliance Psychology)
“This service will significantly improve the support available and make getting help earlier much easier for young people and their families across the Tees Valley. I’m really proud of everyone involved. By working closely with different organisations, we’ve been able to develop a unique and innovative way of supporting young people.”
James Graham, CAHMS General Manager, Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust
Launching a service of this scale requires more than just alignment on paper, it takes a deeply dedicated collective effort. No single organisation can tackle the mental health crisis alone, but by combining our strengths, resources, and expertise, this partnership has built something truly transformative!
Leading the operational side of this service for South Tees has shown me the incredible power of shared purpose. Every partner brought their best to the table so that we could deliver high-quality support and I am incredibly proud of how our teams came together to build a seamless and accessible support for the children and young people who need it most.
Today isn’t just a launch; it’s the beginning of a stronger, more connected service for our community.
Thank you to all involved
Janine Leopard, Chief Executive Officer, The Link CIC
Find Out More
To find out more about Tees Valley Getting Help, visit, www.teesvalleygettinghelp.co.uk
