A new £14.5m mental health service supporting young people is beginning to take shape in Leeds.
The 22-bed West Yorkshire Yorkshire Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in Armley was given the green light earlier this year.
It will provide care and support for children and young people with specialist mental health needs across the county.
The joint venture between Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust and Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust will provide specialist care in therapeutic areas, including a multi-purpose activity room and educational facilities.
A family visiting room and a green communal space will be available for those receiving support as well as staff providing care.
There will also be a health-based place of safety in the unit for young people in crisis and in need of urgent help.
The unit is one of the priority pieces from the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership (WY&H HCP), a partnership of councils, the NHS, third sector and communities.
The unit was developed using the expert views of clinicians and those receiving support for their mental health needs i.e. young people.
Their views were actively considered during the planning process to help ensure we have the best arrangements to meet their needs.
Dr Sara Munro, Chief Executive of Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and chief executive Lead for the regional Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Autism collaborative, said: "The West Yorkshire and Harrogate collaborative have been working together to improve how young people with complex mental health problems across the region get the support they need.
"The new unit is an important part of this work, and its location in Armley will bring opportunities for employment to local people. I’m pleased that construction has started and I look forward to seeing the building work take shape over the coming months."
The unit is due to be open in the autumn of 2021.
