Community Support Team (CST) is an intensive mental health support service using an assertive outreach approach. CST works with service users who have complex mental health needs-service users referred must have a mental health condition that falls within mental health clusters 4-8, or 11-17. Referrals are largely (80%) through Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs) and other Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LYPFT) services such as Forensic Outreach Team, Assertive Outreach Team (AOT) and hospital wards e.g. Becklin Centre and Newsam Centre wards. Some referrals (20%) can be taken from other agencies.

CST uses a strengths-based recovery approach with a focus on the individual and their strengths and interests.

Each service user has a named key worker who will support them one to one, however they may also be supported by other members of the team e.g. at weekends, and when attending groups or service user review meetings. The aim is to ensure continuity of service.

Following Assertive Outreach principles the one-to-one service will be offered in venues that suit the service user-in their own homes, in local community settings or at Touchstone premises, the service user can choose.

The aim of CST support is to enable service users to manage their own well-being and recovery and move towards greater social integration.

• Weekend service-one day each weekend.
• Outlook Group-structured time limited closed group jointly run with an Occupational Therapist from the Assertive Outreach Team.
• Social Group-staff supported group offering casual social activities co facilitated with AOT.
• Gym Group-supported by CST Tuesdays and Fridays.
• Regular meetings will take place for service users to feedback and inform how the service runs.