Young people with complex emotional and relational (CERN) needs have been helping to shape and deliver innovative new training.
Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) has been working with Anna Freud, a leading mental health charity for children and young people, to create a one-day training course for staff who work with children and young adults (aged 0-25) who have CERN.
The plan is for this to be expanded to play a key role in helping staff address these needs across the wider NHS and system partners.
The course was created by a project team including young people with lived experience, and senior clinical leads Dr Jo Baines and Dr Charles Le Grice, along with contributions from a range of clinicians.
The training was co-delivered by Dr Baines alongside two young people, Courtney Reeve and Carl Coughlin, who could share their own experiences.
Twelve NSFT delegates, who work with young people, attended, from a mix of professional backgrounds, including nursing, psychology, psychiatry and social work.
They reported significant improvements in their understanding of the challenges faced by young people with complex emotional and relational needs and greater confidence in providing support.
One delegate praised the training, stating: “It was invaluable to have individuals with lived experience providing insights into their personal journeys, helping clinicians improve the care we provide.”
The course is now being redeveloped into a two-day version to be rolled out in the spring.
NSFT deputy chief executive and chief medical officer Dr Faisil Sethi said: “Working together has really paid off in developing this training for staff in what is a really complex field.
“Including the young people who have experience of the service has been vital in making sure any training is meeting their needs.”
Courtney Reeve’s story
For Courtney Reeve (pictured above), being able to get involved in the work NSFT is doing for young people has been a lifeline.
The 26-year-old was asked if she would be a lived experience trainer on the CERN course for staff, alongside Carl Coughlin, after joining the Particip8! Group for young people.
“I was involved in interview panels through participation, and during a full day of interviews, I got talking to Jo Baines, who is a learned experience trainer. She asked me if I would like to get involved,” said Courtney.
Courtney had not long left CERN services and went from, in her words “a bit of a nervous wreck trapped in my home to delivering training for staff”. She is hoping her new confidence will help her in the next steps of her recovery journey.
“The training means young people have a better experience because staff understand their needs,” she said. “When you are diagnosed it can be terrifying.”
