Contents

  • Welcome to The Cove
  • The Cove facilities and layout
  • What we do at The Cove
  • The team at The Cove
  • Carers assessment
  • Weekly planner
  • Visiting
  • Confidentiality, privacy and dignity
  • Safe and supportive observation
  • Routine outcome measurement
  • Keeping everyone safe at The Cove
  • Social media and internet access
  • Electronic devices guidance
  • Useful links
  • Partners and people we work with at The Cove
  • Our values
  • What young people and their families say

Welcome to The Cove

The Cove is a 14 bedded specialist inpatient unit for young people between the ages of 13 and 18 who are experiencing a variety of mental health problems.

These problems are usually complex. The young people who access The Cove have often experienced:

  • trauma,
  • losses,
  • complex adversities in their lives

They are often struggling with difficulties:

  • in relationships with friends and family (past and present)
  • about their identities, their feelings about themselves and their hopes for the future
  • coping with their experiences safely, in ways that leave those around them worried they might come to harm (for example; self-harm, eating disorders and hearing voices)

Interpretation Services are available to young people are their families if required. This is discussed as part of the admission process.

The Cove Facilities and Layout

The Cove provides enhanced facilities for young people. The unit is light and airy and young people were involved in the design.

The unit has a combination of defined and multifunction space and the room names were chosen by young people.

Summary of Accommodation

  • 14 en-suite bedrooms
  • two lounges
  • one female lounge
  • two living skills kitchens
  • one quiet room
  • one studio (music room)
  • one art room
  • one gym (exercise room)
  • external areas and gardens

Room Names

  • The Lighthouse Lounge (main lounge)
  • The Glen (quiet room)
  • The Studio (music room)
  • The Beach Lounge (small lounge)
  • The Lagoon Lounge (female lounge)
  • The Gym
  • The Classroom
  • The Art Room
  • The Study

A number of the rooms have feature murals to help identify that space and to make the unit more attractive.

What we do at The Cove

The team at The Cove start by looking for the good reasons why young people are so distressed - why they are thinking, doing and feeling the way they are. The team expects this to be a really complicated set of good reasons, whether it is because of experiences of trauma and adversity, whether there be psychological, biological, social or emotional reasons. Our job is to ask what has happened and try and make sense of what is going on for them. We work with every young person and develop an understanding

of how these reasons all fit together. Then we can:

  • Support the young people to bear what they are feeling, to cope with how they are thinking and to make choices about what they do, all based on this better understanding.

  • Provide them with resources and strategies to build their resilience, confidence and capabilities in the face of their difficulties and distress.

  • Plan with the young people, their families and community services so that they can safely return to the community, better placed to live their lives.

  • Sometimes this will include delivering therapy or treatment at The Cove - such as psychological or occupational therapies, or medical treatments.

  • Everything that The Cove does is in consultation and collaboration with the young people themselves, their families and community based services, based on the understanding we have developed of their needs.

The team at The Cove

The Cove is staffed by a range of different professionals working together to deliver the best young person-centred care. All staff are carefully chosen for their expertise, knowledge, experience, compassion and ability to work with young people.

This multidisciplinary team includes:

  • clinical psychologists and psychological therapists
  • psychiatrists
  • mental health nurses and health care assistants
  • occupational therapists
  • social worker
  • dieticians
  • administrative, facilities and catering support staff

Clinical psychologists work directly with young people to help them make sense of their distress and difficulties, as well as helping them make and plan changes to address these challenges. clinical psychologists also work with carers, families and all staff and services involved with them.

Family therapists work directly with carers and families to include them in making sense of what is happening for their young person as well as involving them in supporting the young person in their recovery.

Our medical team includes consultants, speciality doctors and a GP. The doctors are involved in assessment and treatment of the young person’s physical and mental health. The doctors work in collaboration with the rest of the team to create a young person centred care plan which can combine a range of medical interventions to aid recovery.

Our Nursing Team assess young people’s needs and work in collaboration with them and their families/carers to develop individualised care plans and risk assessments. The Nursing Team undertake regular 1 to 1 sessions with young people to ensure progress against care aims is monitored and to support them through their recovery journey.

Occupational therapy offers practical support to empower young people to engage in meaningful activity which is important to them and their daily life. We encourage young people to participate in activities (or occupations) that matter to them to help promote recovery and overcome barriers to occupations. The Occupational Therapists offer individual or group session as part of the weekly timetable. This can range from support in education, life skills, art, animal care, baking/cooking, volunteering and physical activity which can be on or off site.

Our dieticians are involved in promoting all aspects of a healthy lifestyle and the importance of eating well across the unit. They work closely with young people who have potential or pre-existing eating disorders, as well as supporting those needing dietary advice because of other mental health issues. They also work with parents and carers to support them continuing the nutritional plan on leave or discharge.

Our social workers undertakes a social care screening assessment with all young people and their parents and carers. The purpose of this assessment is to consider any additional support that could help young people and their families.

Our family ambassador role is to strengthen the communication and support available to parents and carers during a young person’s stay at The Cove. This is by gathering the views and needs of parents and carers,supporting parents and carers at point of admission until point of discharge; providing meaningful and practical advice, guidance and support. Our Family Ambassador also helps parents and carers understand how inpatient services work, helps jargon bust and simplify information into everyday language which is easy to understand. To help parents and carers to have the confidence to actively engage and participate in the proposed care of their child.

Our participation consultant runs a weekly group that gives all young people a chance to help develop and improve The Cove. It talks about all the positive and helpful things that are happening on the ward, as well as some of the things that might need improving.

The crew is our active, Lancashire-wide, service user group for young people who have previously used inpatient mental health services and their families/ carers. The Crew is involved in all aspects of development at The Cove.

Education forms a big part of our weekly timetable. When young people come in to education at The Cove for the first time, they will undergo an induction so they know all about what happens within education here. If you have left school then the teachers will be able to support you in continuing with college or sixth form courses as well as providing English and Maths support if these weren’t passed at GCSE. The teachers may also be able to help you look into further education courses of your choice if you are not currently enrolled.

Visiting

At The Cove we encourage families and friends to visit you as we believe that this is an important step for your recovery. We will support you to maintain links with your family and friends.

Upon admission, families and friends of those young people who are admitted will be offered the opportunity to help settle in, providing it is safe to do so, carers and families will be allowed to spend time with you in your bedroom. If for whatever reason this is unable to happen, plans will be made to ensure that your family are able to see your bedroom at their next visit.

Any further access to your bedroom will need to be agreed by the team. Staff ask that visits are arranged preferably with 24 hours’ notice in order to ensure that visits do not clash with therapeutic activities or sessions.

During the week, visits should preferably take place when education finishes for the day at 3pm, although this can be managed on a case by case basis. All visits are risk assessed and families/carers may have access to alarms if necessary.

Young people at The Cove also have access to free Wi-Fi. Young people also have access to the ward iPads that have apps such as Microsoft Teams, Skype, WhatsApp, Zoom, FaceTime if family, carer or friends are unable to visit.

If you would like access to a second opinion, please speak to your key worker.

Confidentiality, privacy and dignity

Confidentiality

Sharing information with young people is vital and there are principles that staff follow:

  • Informed consent from young people.
  • Code of confidentiality.
  • Respect for young people’s privacy.

Staff will collect the following information about a young person with their permission:

  • Name, address and date of birth
  • Ethnicity and current health problems
  • Any previous contact they have had with The Cove
  • Any results of investigation and tests.
  • Any other relevant information about their health and social needs

The Cove staff have a legal duty to keep this information secure and confidential. Information about a young person’s care and needs will only be passed onto relevant people in the multi-disciplinary team or outside agencies if we think this is appropriate to do so. Where possible we will inform/discuss this with the young person.

If you have any questions feel free to speak to your Nursing Team.

Privacy and dignity

At The Cove, privacy and dignity are really important to us; young people should expect to receive the same rights as anyone else, but this can mean different things for different people. At times it may be necessary for us to act in ways that young people might feel doesn’t support this, but anything we do is always for the safety of the young person or others around them and we will always try to discuss this with the young person.

Safe and supportive observations

When a young person is admitted to The Cove the Nursing Team, along with the Doctor, will initially assess their mental health by speaking to them.

Observations may be put into place to keep young people safe during their stay at The Cove. Any period of observation is reviewed daily.

There are four types of observation:

  • safety and security 

All young people’s whereabouts is checked each 60 minutes; we call this a SAS check.

  • intermittent observation

Intermittent observations mean that young people will be checked at up to 5 times an hour.

  • continuous eyesight

On this level young people are kept within eyesight of the staff member carrying out their observations.

  • continous arm's length

A young person needs to be within arm’s length of the staff member who is carrying out the observations. At times there may need to be more than one person present; the young person will be told about this if that situation happens.

Anyone being supported using intermittent, continuous eyesight or continuous arm’s length will have this reviewed every 24 hours; if a young person remains on enhanced observations for more than 7 days an independent observation review will be organised.

Routine outcome measurement

We use Routine Outcome Measurement (or ROM for short) to help young people, their families and all professionals involved:

  • Express and understand the difficulties and challenges experienced by young people and their families.

  • Monitor (and see!) change.

  • Plan for the future.

  • More generally support discussions about making improvements and important changes to our service.

Which outcome measures do we use? strength and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ)

The SDQ involves young people and their family members (and sometimes teachers as well) answering brief questions about emotional, social and general difficulties (e.g., at home or in school etc.) and the impact all of these have in general on their life.

Children’s Global Assessment Scale (CGAS)

The CGAS is completed by the care team (at admission and discharge) and uses various scales measuring psychological, social and daily functioning (e.g., personal hygiene, sleep patterns and risk of harm to themselves).

Health of the Nation Outcome Scales for Children and Adolescents (HoNOSCA)

The HoNOSCA measures the levels of difficulty young people have in many different areas of their life (13 in fact! Including, emotional difficulties, ability to concentrate, level of independence and self-care). The HoNOSCA is completed separately by both the young person and their care team.

All questionnaires are completed at the start of the young person’s stay (admission) and at the point of leaving (discharge).

Keeping everyone safe at The Cove

Whilst at The Cove, we will endeavor to keep all young people safe, protected and provide an atmosphere which is based on trust, understanding and respect.

A key safety measure in place to ensure security at The Cove is the closure of the ward entrance door.

Prior to and upon admission young people are given written information about their rights, either as an informal patient or a patient detained under the Mental Health Act. This includes rights to leave the unit; decisions around leave typically occur with 72 hours of admission and take place at a review meeting during which it will be agreed that the young person will:

Have independent, unescorted leave from The Cove or need to be escorted by an appropriate adult?

(A member of The Cove Team, family, carers or other visitors)

Any time that a young person wishes to leave The Cove, they must ask a member of the nursing team/shift leader, so that a formal risk assessment can be completed.

If a young person is not able to have leave from The Cove or their leave is restricted, then a thorough explanation of their rights will be provided.

Young people can also speak to our Independent Advocate, Sam Young, if they would like further information or help in understanding this.

Your safety is really important to us, you will be asked for your views around safety at regular intervals during your stay. Alarms are available for young people. If you would like access to an alarm, please discuss this with your key worker.

The Traffic Light System

Some of the doors on the ward at The Cove are locked. This could be for a number of different reasons including maintaining safety and confidentiality of young people.

There is a ‘traffic light’ system in place so everyone is aware of what rooms are accessible.

For your safety and the safety of other young people at The Cove, there are some restrictions in place with regards what you can bring onto the ward. These are not here to inconvenience you, but are to keep you and your peers safe.

Restricted items list

  • Weapons (including dangerous objects that can be used as weapons)
  • Drugs
  • Alcohol
  • Smoking related products
  • Aerosols
  • Cans
  • Coat hangers (these will be provided by The Cove)
  • Scissors (if required these can be provided by The Cove)
  • Razors (these will be kept in secure storage and can be accessed by The Cove based upon an individual risk assessment)

Restricted items at The Cove

  • It may be reasonable, necessary and proportionate to restrict items (not mentioned above) as part of individuals risk management plan.

  • Any items that are restricted will be documented on individual property lists and stored in a locked designated area. The rationale for doing this will be clearly documented in your care plan.

Drugs, alcohol and smoking

Whilst staying with us at The Cove, the use of any drugs or alcohol is not allowed.

If this is something which you have struggled with in the past, or are currently struggling with, staff can help you access specialist support/advice.

The staff at The Cove are here to help you manage any difficulties you may be experiencing with issues pertaining to drugs, alcohol or smoking and will offer this to you in a empathic, understanding and respectful manner.

Relationships at The Cove

At The Cove we make every effort to create a comfortable therapeutic environment which promotes and enables young people to share feelings, experiences and enjoy being around other young people and staff.

During your stay you may naturally make friendships with other young people who are on the unit. However, relationships which are thought to be physical will need to be considered in the context of your continued stay at The Cove.

If we discover that young people are having a physical relationship we will act immediately; this may include:

  • Contacting the Police - if we believe that the law has been broken.

  • Contacting family to inform them of the relationship.

  • Contacting Safeguarding to share concerns and seek guidance.

  • An inpatient stay review.

Bullying in any way, shape or form, whether obvious or secretive will not be tolerated at The Cove.

Should you feel at any point during your stay at The Cove that you are being bullied, this should be brought to the attention of the shift leader immediately. If this is not possible, we would encourage you to tell another responsible adult, (i.e. parent/carer/advocate/other staff member) about what is occurring. This will then be brought to the attention of the Ward Manager who will arrange to sit down with you and talk about what’s going on.

It is extremely important to us that you feel safe and secure at The Cove, which is why we advise you to talk to one of the nursing staff if something is causing you some concern or worry.

Social media and internet access

At The Cove, you will be able to access the internet in order to remain in contact with friends and family. The means by which you can maintain this contact will be based on your care plan and whether it is appropriate for you.

Confidentiality is important for you and for everyone who uses and works at The Cove and therefore, inappropriate sharing of information, inappropriate use of the internet or inappropriate sending/sharing of emails to other young people will result in a care plan review.

If you receive any emails, tweets or other messages which you feel are inappropriate or cause you any concern please inform staff so that you can be supported appropriately.

Electronic devices guidance

You can use your electronic devices during your stay at The Cove.

If you use your electronic device inappropriately, you will be asked to hand the device in. Continued use will then be reviewed by the team the next time they meet. If the team feel that your electronic device is having a negative impact on your mental health, future access may be restricted.

Any restrictions will be discussed with you, care-planned and continuously reviewed by the MDT throughout your stay. Please be aware of the following expectations:

  • To maintain confidentiality for other young people, staff members and all young people must only use electronic devices in bedrooms. These cannot be brought into communal areas.

  • Young people must not take photographs or videos of other young people, staff members or the ward.

  • Electronic devices must not be used during education time, 1:1 session and meal times.

  • It is important that young people respect each other by keeping their phone on silent or ensuring they used headphones when necessary.

Useful links

Anorexia and Bulimia Care

Anorexia and Bulimia Care offer support for those who are suffering from eating disorders in any age group.

Areas covered: Online support Contact number: 03000 11 12 13

B-eat

B-eat offer a helpline for young people and a helpline for adults to contact them about eating disorders. There is also online support through forums. Areas covered: Online support

Contact number: 0808 801 0711 

Bullying UK

Site which offers advice and support regarding bullying at school, at home or online. There is a helpline which can be called for help and support.

Areas covered: Online support Contact number: 0808 800 2222 

Carers Link Lancashire

Carers Link Lancashire is an independent charity whose aim is to support unpaid carers across the boroughs of East Lancashire.

Areas covered: Online support Contact number: 0345 688 7113

Blackpool Carers Centre

An independent, local charity and network partner of Carers Trust. They provide a range of services to support and enhance the lives of unpaid carers of all ages throughout Blackpool and The Fylde Coast.

Areas covered: Online support Contact number: 01253 393748 

Blackburn with Darwen Carers Service

Blackburn with Darwen Carers Service offers information, advice and support to cares in the Blackburn and Darwen area.

Areas covered: Online support Contact number: 01254 688440 

FRANK

Talk to FRANK is a confidential helpline for young people for advice regarding drugs and where help can be provided.

Areas covered: Online support Contact number: 0300 123 6600 

HeadMeds

An information website for young people which has information about mental health illnesses and information about medications.

Kidscape

Kidscape offer online advice and support for children, parents and professionals regarding bullying. There is an advice line which is open Mon- Tues, 10am-5pm.

Areas covered: Online support Contact number: 020 7823 5430 

NCompass - North and Central Lancashire

NCompass - North and Central Lancashire operates across the North of England to make a positive difference and enhance life opportunities for carers.

Areas covered: Online support Contact number: 0345 688 7113 

Wellbeing and Mental Health Helpline

The Helpline is a listening, information and emotional support service. It is open Monday to Friday 7pm to 11pm, Saturday and Sunday 12 midday to 12 midnight

Areas covered: Lancashire Contact number: 0800 915 4640

Mermaids UK

Mermaids provides a helpline aimed at supporting gender diverse or gender curious youth up to and including the age of 19. There are also forums for both young people and their families.

Areas covered: Online support Contact number: 0844 334 055

Mind

Mind offers help and support to anyone experiencing mental health problems. They have a helpline which offers advice about where to access help and support.

Areas covered: Nationwide Contact number: 0300 123 3393 

Papyrus

Papyrus operates a suicide prevention helpline for young people and their families. Opening hours are 10am-10pm weekdays, 2pm-10pm weekends, and 2pm-5pm Bank Holidays.

Areas covered: Nationwide Contact number: 0800 068 41 41

Quit Squad

Quit Squad are on hand to provide friendly advice for anyone who would like to quit smoking for good.

Areas covered: Nationwide Contact number: 0800 328 6297 

Samaritans

The Samaritans offer a non-judgemental 24/7/365 helpline which allows for advice and support about a range of issues or just support when you need someone to listen to you.

Areas covered: Online support Contact number: 116 123 

Young Minds

Young Minds is an information website about mental health, and youth involvement.

Areas covered: Online Support Contact number: 0808 802 5544 

Partners and people we work with at The Cove

The Cove is linked to a number of local services which also provide additional support for young people. These services are provided both on and off site and include the following:

MyPlace

MyPlace is an innovative ecotherapy project delivered by Lancashire Wildlife Trust in partnership with ourselves. The project empowers young people

to connect with nature and learn new skills to build resilience to improve physical and emotional wellbeing. Ecotherapy is the term given to a range of activities which are linked to ‘5 ways to Wellbeing.’ The ecotherapy is delivered both on and off site.

Real Advocacy

At The Cove, it is really important that we listen to the young people in our care, that they understand their rights and have a say in their care and

treatment. An advocate’s job is to help with this, and at The Cove we have an independent advocate who is available to work individually with our young people. The advocate is independent of The Cove and works on instructions from the young people themselves, they visit regularly and meet with all young people who are admitted regardless of legal status.

Lancashire Positive Minds

Lancashire Positive Minds are a group that provide face to face and virtual support for parents and carers who care for young people with mental health difficulties. Lancashire Positive Minds offer practical advice, support, training, mentorship, resources, coping strategies and 1 to 1 support in a safe and confidential space.

Home Safari

Home Safari Animal Assisted Therapy create and facilitate sessions with activities or interactions for the young people at The Cove. Home Safari attend The Cove every other month.

Our Values

  • We are Kind
  • We are Respectful
  • We are Always Learning
  • We are a Team

We are true to our values by:

  1. Putting service users at the heart of all we do, supporting effective, recovering and wellbeing.

  2. Employing and retaining the best staff because our work culture will be inclusive and a supportive place to work.

  3. Delivering safe care and we will embrace an open and learning culture, ensuring we continually improve.

  4. Responding to people’s needs by striving for the highest standards of quality, proactively reducing health inequalities.

  5. Supporting our local communities by excelling at everything we do together, we will always collaborate with our systems partners.

  6. Providing sustainable services that are delivered in an effective and efficient way, at the time people need it.

What young people and their families say

“The Team at The Cove are amazing, we can’t thank them enough.”

“Thank you for everything you have done, the care provided has been amazing.”

“The Education Team are really helpful.”

“Thank you so much for all the team have done to support my daughter”

“Thank you for helping me every day and getting me through the tough times.”

“You are all wonderful, I appreciate all the time and effort you have put in for me, I am so thankful.”

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)

If you have some concerns, questions or need advice on our services, you can contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 0800 234 6088 or contact the PALS Team via email.

Feeling low and need someone to talk to?

Call 0800 915 4640

Monday to Friday 7pm to 11pm Saturday to Sunday 12pm to Midnight

Need urgent help?

Call 0800 953 0110 24 hours a day, seven days a week

This leaflet is available in alternative languages and formats upon request. Please speak to a member of our staff to arrange this.