News and events

Recently the trust's Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Mental Health Support Team (MHST) received a Special Recognition Honour at the SEND Best Practice in Health 2025 Awards (Health and Education SEND Partnership Category).

The event took place in Sheffield and as part of the event, the team were able to share a brief video made in collaboration with The Valley School in Stevenage which showcases their work — see video below. 

 

Sarah Garvey Operational Lead for the SEND MHST led the presentation showcasing HCT's work to support the mental health needs of our most vulnerable children and young people with SEND in special schools and mainstream settings and evidencing positive outcomes. 

She said: “I am delighted that our team has been recognised for the work we deliver through our developing partnerships with schools in our area.

"Our partnership with The Valley School highlights the positive impact for all of having a mental health support team. Being onsite enables clinicians to support the development of the whole school approach to emotional wellbeing and provide immediate support.

"Our team understands the school’s systems and structures making for a truly collaborative partnership that benefits the students, teachers, and the SEND MHST.”

HCT's SEND MHST provides mental health support across 95% of SEND schools and provisions. The team is also working with some mainstream primary schools, where there is a recognised high SEND need and supporting all MHSTs with any identified SEND needs within their schools.