Teen Health 11-19 Service
What is Teen Health?
Teen Health is a team of caring and dedicated Health and Wellbeing Officers who work across Leicestershire and Rutland to provide health and emotional wellbeing advice and support. We focus on young people of secondary school age and above, working hand in hand with them either at their secondary school or within the local community.
Our service is proudly organised by Leicestershire and Rutland County Councils, as part of the early help service. We collaborate with various other services and partners to ensure that every child and young person can stay healthy, happy, and safe.
What does Teen Health do?
At Teen Health, our ultimate aim is to help all children and young people in Leicestershire and Rutland live healthier and happier lives. We provide support through a range of options such as group work, workshops, and one-to-one sessions. The team can also help a young person get in touch with other services if needed.
Did you know?
Teen Health can help with a range of different issues
- Problems with friendships
- Sexual health advice
- Support to access contraception and testing
- Boosting confidence and self-esteem
- Coping with starting a new school
- Building positive relationships
- Dealing with exam stress
- Accessing support for physical health
- Receiving advice on drugs and alcohol
- Overcoming feelings of sadness or worry
- Staying healthy and safe
How confidential is the service?
When a young person works with us, their privacy is important. Conversations will remain confidential, and we won't share anything without their permission, unless it is necessary to ensure their safety.
Where does Teen Health work?
Our Health and Wellbeing Officers are present in most secondary schools in Leicestershire and Rutland. Additionally, we organise activities and sessions within the community, especially during school holidays.
To find out who is working in your child’s school, click the "Where do you study?" button at the top of the page. This will show the name of the Health and Wellbeing officer and the day they attend that school.
How does Teen Health support the young person?
-
Drop in sessions
Some schools provide drop-in services where young people can visit a Health and Wellbeing Officer without an appointment or referral. The aim of the drop in sessions is to support or sign post to more suitable services if needed. If the Officer feels the young person would benefit from extra support from Teen Health they may suggest making a referral, with the agreement of the young person.
-
1-2-1 sessions
Teen Health may offer 1-2-1 support when appropriate. After receiving a referral, a Health and Wellbeing Officer will contact the young person, which might be through school, to arrange a meeting. In the initial session, they will discuss the young person’s needs and determine the most appropriate support plan. Health and Wellbeing Officers can either meeting the young person at school or in the community.
-
Group Work
If a young person is facing challenges shared by other young people, we might invite them to attend one of our supportive groups at school or in the community. They will join the group at an arranged time, facilitated by the school to minimise impact on their learning
-
Events
From time to time, we organise special events focusing on topics, for example, staying healthy and safe, sexual health and more, where we collaborate with other services to provide valuable information. Information about these events can be found in the events tab at the top of the page and will be advertised around schools.
-
Health Topics
If the young person is not ready to talk to a Teen Health Officer, they can access information via the Health Topics pages. Use the ‘I am’ button at the top to navigate to the 11 – 14 page or the 15 – 19 page. These have health topics which are relevant to the age group, giving links to other trusted organisations.
Stories
View all stories
Referrals
What is a Referral?
A referral is a way to request support from our service. A referral to Teen Health can be made by the young person, a teacher, parent or any adult supporting the young person. Submitting a referral gives us more information about the young person’s needs. From this we will decide if Teen Health is the right service based on the need of the young person.
If someone else has made the referral on behalf of the young person, we will still ask for their permission to work with us.
What happens after a referral is made?
Once we receive a referral, our team will review the information provided to understand the young person’s needs. If we can offer support, a Health and Wellbeing Officer will make contact to arrange a meeting. In this initial session held at school or your home, we will discuss any requirements and work together to plan positive sessions tailored to the needs of the young person.
If we cannot provide support needed, we will offer suggestions for other service involvement or options that may be better placed to offer support.
Health Topics
There is a wealth of health information in our Health Topics section for you as a parent/carer supporting a young person. The link can be found at the top of this page. The Health Topics are separated into different areas and each page gives links to other services who can offer support on the topic.
Any young person can access our Health Topics pages for support and information. Amend the button at the top to 11 – 14 or 15-19 to see the age appropriate health topic pages for them to read.
How do I contact a Health and Wellbeing officer?
To refer a young person into our service, use the links below.
Alternatively, the young person can contact the Health and Wellbeing Officer at their school. By using the "Where do you study?" button at the top of this page, you can view information about the Health and Wellbeing Officers. If the young person is unsure how to find them in school, they can ask at the school reception, the pastoral team or their teacher.
For those not in secondary school, use the forms above to seek help from us.
Our service operates during normal office hours, 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday. We provide support all year round and this includes during school holidays, except for Christmas and the Bank Holidays.
True or False?
True or false?
False. We are here to help with any problems, big or small, to keep every young person healthy, happy, and safe. Some issues will be outside of the support the service can provide. In these cases, we will guide and signpost to other services.
True or false?
False. We maintain confidentiality unless it’s essential to keep the young person safe. If they give permission, we can keep parents/carers informed, but only with their agreement.
True or false?
False. Any young person can ask for support themselves without permission. They can use the referral forms in the links above to access the service or attend a drop-in session at school.
True or false?
True. Our service is open to all young people within the specified age range. Our Health and Wellbeing Officers attend secondary schools in the area but we also meet young people in their home or community.
True or false?
True. Our team of experienced Health and Wellbeing Officers is managed within the Children and Family Wellbeing Service and Rutland Early Help Service and overseen by Public Health, ensuring reliable and trustworthy advice and information is provided.
True or false?
False. While we can support young people with many challenges, there are some areas where there may be a more appropriate service that can help. In such cases, we will guide and signpost for the supported needed.
For Urgent Help?
For any emergency call 999 or attend the local Accident and Emergency department.
If you have an urgent health issue call 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk to speak to the NHS. They are available 24/7 and can guide you to appropriate help if necessary.
For urgent mental health concerns, call the Central Access Point at 0808 800 3302, available 24/7.
At Teen Health, we're here for every child and young person, every step of the way, either by working with them directly or providing them with the information they need on their journey to a healthier and happier life. Reach out to us today, and let's work together to achieve their well-being goals!
