Category Archives: northern-og

Think Outside the Box Event – April 2026

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Think Outside the Box Event Strengthens Support for Children’s Emotional Wellbeing.

Cover page of the Supporting Children’s Emotional Health & Wellbeing – Think Outside the Box Event Scorecard. The design features a purple and light teal split background with the title “Supporting Children’s Emotional Health & Wellbeing” and “Think Outside the Box Event”. The cover notes that the scorecard is hosted by the Parent Participation Service and includes the logos of Children in Northern Ireland, CYPSP and Parentline NI.

Cover page of the Supporting Children’s Emotional Health & Wellbeing – Think Outside the Box Event Scorecard. The design features a purple and light teal split background with the title “Supporting Children’s Emotional Health & Wellbeing” and “Think Outside the Box Event”. The cover notes that the scorecard is hosted by the Parent Participation Service and includes the logos of Children in Northern Ireland, CYPSP and Parentline NI.

Parents, carers and professionals from across Northern Ireland came together for the Think Outside the Box event in April 2026, hosted by the Parent Participation Service, to explore new ways of supporting children’s emotional health and wellbeing. The event provided an opportunity to learn about a range of therapeutic approaches, connect with local services and share experiences in a supportive environment. 

The event attracted strong interest, with 100 registrations and a waiting list, highlighting the demand for information and support around children’s emotional wellbeing. Attendees took part in workshops on Equine Therapy, Lego Therapy, Music Therapy, Art Therapy and Poetry Therapy, alongside networking opportunities and expert presentations.

Feedback showed a significant positive impact, with 98% of participants finding the event useful and 100% saying they would recommend it to others. Participants reported feeling more confident, better informed and more aware of local support services following the event.

The accompanying scorecard provides a detailed overview of the event, highlighting attendance, participant feedback and the positive outcomes achieved for parents, carers and professionals.

Read the full scorecard at: https://cypsp.hscni.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Think-Outside-The-Box-Event-Scorecard.pdf 

Mindset: Mental health awareness programme

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Poster titled “Mindset: Funded Mental Health Awareness Programme” with colourful Mindset logo at the top. Text states the programme is funded by the Public Health Agency and available to groups of young people aged 14+ and adults, delivered across Northern Ireland in youth and community settings. A call to action reads “Email wellbeing@amh.org.uk to book today!”. Bottom section shows three people sitting in chairs in a group discussion, with HSC Public Health Agency and Action Mental Health logos displayed.

Poster titled “Mindset: Funded Mental Health Awareness Programme” with colourful Mindset logo at the top. Text states the programme is funded by the Public Health Agency and available to groups of young people aged 14+ and adults, delivered across Northern Ireland in youth and community settings. A call to action reads “Email wellbeing@amh.org.uk to book today!”. Bottom section shows three people sitting in chairs in a group discussion, with HSC Public Health Agency and Action Mental Health logos displayed.

Mindset is a mental health and emotional wellbeing programme, offered to young people and adults.

Funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA), offered to groups of both young people (aged 14+) and adults. The programme is delivered in all Trust Areas across Northern Ireland in youth and community settings.

Email wellbeing@amh.org.uk to book

Mindset leaflet 

Launch of the New “Let’s Explore Behaviour” Parent Guide – 25 March 2026

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We are delighted to share that the new ‘Let’s Explore Behaviour’ Parent Guide was officially launched at the Stronger Together: Information Day for Children with Additional Needs, on 25 March at The Braid Arts Centre in Ballymena. The event, hosted by the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, brought together families, practitioners, and partner organisations for a day dedicated to information, support, and connection.

 

 

 

A key moment of the day was the formal launch of the guide by Chris Quinn, Northern Ireland’s Children’s Commissioner, who spoke about the importance of early support, inclusion, and recognising the strengths within every family.

 

 

 

The ‘Let’s Explore Behaviour’ Parent Guide was co‑designed by parents, carers, practitioners, and members of the CYPSP Northern Area Outcomes Group Disability Working Group. Over recent years, families highlighted a growing need for accessible, compassionate guidance to help them understand their child’s behaviour, particularly for children with additional needs.

This guide represents a collective response to that need: practical, reassuring, and firmly rooted in lived experience.

 

The guide is a reflective toolkit designed to help parents understand what their child’s behaviour may be communicating and how small, consistent steps can make a difference. It includes:

  • Practical explanations of behaviour as communication
  • The CAPE framework (Communication, Action, People, Environment)
  • SMART planning tools to help families set achievable goals
  • Helpful visual supports, activities, and worksheets
  • Dedicated sections on sleep, toileting, screen time, outings, transitions, and physically challenging behaviours
  • Signposting to Northern Ireland specific supports and services

It reinforces three key messages: You are not alone. Your child is capable. You are doing better than you think.

 

 

By building parents’ confidence and offering clear, workable strategies, the guide aims to reduce stress, strengthen relationships, and promote consistent support across home, school, and services. It represents strong partnership working across health, education, and the community sector.

 

The ‘Let’s Explore Behaviour’ Parent Guide is available free of charge and can be downloaded at: https://cypsp.hscni.net/download/443/lets-explore-behaviour/47769/naog-lets-explore-behaviour.pdf 

Christmas Edition Family Support Newsletter

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The Christmas edition of the Family Support Hub Newsletter is now available at  https://cypsp.hscni.net/download/391/family-support-hubs/47245/fsh-newsletter-dec2025.pdf  

(Please Note: Newsletter will download directly to your device.  Look out for the pop-up box and click on open file when it appears).

As we approach the festive season, this edition is filled with events, activities, and services designed to support families across our region during what can be both a joyful and challenging time of year. Whether you are a parent, carer, or professional working with families, we hope you find something helpful and uplifting within these pages.

This newsletter is a celebration of the incredible work happening in our communities and the commitment of everyone involved in supporting families. It’s also a reminder that help is always available, no one should feel alone during the holidays.

It is also packed full of information for parents/carers, early years, children & young people with a disability,  mental health and wellbeing advice,  Helplines and much more – make sure you download your copy now!

Previous editions of the newsletter are available at  http://www.cypsp.hscni.net/family-support-hubs  under Family Support Newsletter section.

Regards,

Children’s Services Team

 

Mental Health Strategy – Early Intervention and Prevention – Service Directory

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In support of actions 1 and 2 of the Mental Health Strategy and Mental Health early intervention and prevention, the Public Health Agency are encouraging all stakeholders to contribute to the new Minding Your Head webpage service directory.

You are invited to add mental health and emotional wellbeing services (outlined in the ‘service type’ section of the guide) your organisation provides in your local community.

Please also engage with all organisations that you commission to encourage them to add their services, and share this opportunity for inclusion in the service directory with your partnerships and networks.

Please make separate submissions for each service. The purpose of submitting individual services offered by your organisation is to benefit the individual searching the directory to understand the specific support options available to them.

Adding your service

Please follow the instructions below and the attached guide to add each service to the directory.

The attached guide outlines the following:

  1. Eligibility criteria
  2. Exclusion criteria
  3. Service type
  4. Public Health Agency quality standards  
  5. Information accuracy and completeness
  6. Information required
  7. Content guidelines
  8. Verification and updates
  9. Consent

Setting up your Minding Your Head account

  • Your username is the email address used to receive this correspondence.
  • Using this email address please follow this link [Reset your password | Minding Your Head] to generate a temporary password. You will then be able to set a new password and update your organisation’s contact details and add information for all your organisations services.
  • Remember to make separate submissions for each service.

Adding service submission details

  • Refer to the attached guide for details.
  • If you wish to add email information to your submission form please do not use personalised email addresses such as ‘joe.bloggs@’, instead use generic email addresses such as ‘info@’.

If you would like to remove your service from the Minding Your Head website and contact list, please respond ‘opt out’ to this email.  

Email any queries to myh@hscni.net