Outreach Services for Children and Adolescents (OSCA) in Buckinghamshire provides 24/7 support for young people and their families who are in an acute mental health crisis.

The team is working flexibly during the lockdown providing some face-to-face work as well as video calls. They provide both assessment and treatment for those under 18 who are at high risk of harm to themselves or others.

This is done through a combination of risk management, mental state examination, DBT skills, support for parents and carers; something which is crucial when working with young people.

One reviewer wrote: “Wonderful friendly people who genuinely care.”

Megan Wale, operational lead, said: “We value service user feedback so highly within our team and this really helps to build the morale of staff when things can get tough.

“I am extremely proud of the team as individuals but also as a wider team and feel confident that we are always doing our upmost to support any young person that we may come into contact with.”

Another service user who left a review said: “Very amazing, really helped me understand my emotions and learn how to control them.”

The staff are “Friendly” said one reviewer and they felt their views were listened to and acknowledged.

A parent said: “Bucks Crisis Team acted very quickly for my daughter and were on hand for help and support and visited home quickly and took it very seriously. I feel I could contact them again should the need arise.

“My child is spoken to like a person rather than someone with an illness” said another parent. “She is listened to without judgement and things are explained in a way she understands.”

Find out more information about this service here.