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The service provides highly specialist mental health interventions and care to Deaf children and young people (aged up to 18 years) and their families and to hearing children of deaf adults (CODA) in the community. The service also provides advice and consultation to local services that work with Deaf children.
- Service Type: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
- Service Category: Community
- Address: The Heathside Centre, Heath Road, Coxheath, Maidstone, Kent, ME17 4AH
- Reception hours: Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm
- Reception phone number: 01223 813616
About our care
All patients will first recieve an initial assessment of their mental health needs, a communication profile and a plan for the care and support they will receive. This may include direct work with our service or signposting to other agencies for support.
Treatment may take place in the clinic, at home, in school or in another community location. The service will work closely with families and all other professionals involved in the young person's life, as appropriate. The service includes both Deaf and hearing staff who have all recieved training in Deaf awareness and study British Sign Language (BSL). BSL interpreters are always available where required.
Interventions include:
- Psychosocial interventions
- Family therapy
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectic Behavioral Therapy
- Theraplay
- Mentalisation Based Therapy
- Non-Violent Resistance (NVR)
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy
Who is this service for?
The service is for Deaf children and young people aged up to 18 years with a severe to profound hearing loss, and children of deaf Adults (CODA).
Referrals and access
GPs can make a referral using the Electronic Referral Service (e-RS). All other healthcare professionals can make a referral using the form provided.
Parents who complete a referral will need to provide supporting documentation from a healthcare professional.
