Mental health assessment and triage
What happens at each stage
If you’re not sure what’s going on, we’ll help you find out, and make sure you’re connected to the right support. Here’s what to expect, step by step.
Your assessment is carried out by Hans Naicker, our Clinical Lead and an NMC-registered mental health nurse. The assessment is for people aged 16 and over, and costs £200, including the initial consultation, with no VAT payable.
Who this page is for: anyone aged 16 or over who isn’t sure what’s going on, and the people supporting them.
What happens at each stage?
Stage 01
Initial consultation
A relaxed first conversation about what has been happening, what’s worrying you, and what you’d like help with. We’ll explain how the assessment works, answer your questions and agree the best way to go ahead. There’s nothing to prepare, and you don’t need a referral.
The initial consultation is included in the £200 fee.
We know that coming out to meet face to face can be difficult for some people. If that’s the case for you, we can offer home visits, so that you’re comfortable and in your own environment.
- How long
- To be confirmed
- Format
- To be confirmed
- Who’s there
- Hans Naicker
- What you’ll need
- Nothing to prepare
Stage 02Assessment
A comprehensive initial assessment
Hans takes the time to understand the whole picture: how you’ve been feeling and what you’ve noticed, your mood, anxiety, sleep and energy, your history, your relationships, and how things are going at home, school or work. He also asks about physical health, medication, previous support, and anything affecting your safety.
It’s an unhurried conversation with an experienced mental health nurse, not a questionnaire to tick through.
- How long
- To be confirmed
- Who’s there
- Hans Naicker
Stage 03Clinical review
Our clinical impression
Hans brings together everything you’ve shared to form a clear impression of the main concerns, in terms of the challenges you’re facing in daily life and the symptoms you describe. We do not give a diagnosis. Instead, we explain what we think is going on and make reasonable recommendations for what is likely to help next, including whether a neurodevelopmental assessment would be worthwhile.
The aim is to give you clear indications of what will be most helpful moving forward, so that you’re not left guessing.
Stage 04Feedback
Feedback and a clear plan
We talk through what we’ve identified in plain language, and you have time to ask questions. Together, we agree what the next steps should be, and which kind of support would suit you best.
Stage 05Signposting
Signposting and connecting you to the right service
Based on our comprehensive assessment and what we’ve identified, we point you towards the services most likely to help, and help you make the connection. Depending on your needs, that might be talking therapy, support through your GP, NHS community mental health services, an autism assessment, or an ADHD assessment with another provider, support through school, college or work, or voluntary and community organisations.
Where it would help, our own Goal Coaching Mentorship Programme can also be part of the plan.
Stage 06With your consent
Keeping your GP informed
With your consent, we can write to your GP to explain what we’ve identified and what we recommend. This helps make sure you’re connected to the correct service, and that the people involved in your care have the same understanding of what is happening, so you don’t have to explain everything again.
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What is this assessment, and what isn’t it?
Questions about the mental health assessment
Will I get a diagnosis from the mental health assessment?
No. This assessment gives you our clinical impression of the concerns you’re facing and what we recommend as next steps. It isn’t a diagnosis. If a formal diagnosis would be helpful, we’ll tell you who can provide one.
Can you see my 14-year-old for a mental health assessment?
Our mental health assessment is for people aged 16 and over. For a younger child, your GP can refer to CAMHS, or you could look for a psychiatrist who sees under-16s. If you’re wondering about autism, our autism assessment starts at age 6.
Can my 16 or 17-year-old agree to their own assessment?
Generally, yes. Young people aged 16 and 17 are presumed able to consent to their own assessment. We encourage family involvement, and we record consent. For children under 16, consent comes from a parent or someone else with parental responsibility.
Will a parent be there at a home visit for a young person?
For children under 16, a parent or carer is always present. Young people aged 16 and 17 are offered the choice. This is part of our safeguarding approach, which Hans Naicker leads as our safeguarding lead.
Is Oakwell an emergency service?
No. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999. For urgent mental health help in England, call NHS 111 and choose option 2. You can call Samaritans free on 116 123, any time. Our urgent help page lists more numbers.
Not sure where to start? Talk to us.
No referral needed. Prefer not to phone? Email or use the form. That’s completely fine.