Who we are:

Community Support Team (CST) is an intensive mental health support service using an assertive outreach approach to work with service users who have complex mental health needs.

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, for example, 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. For example, 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.

Partnership pathways and additional options to core CST support:

• Weekend service – one day each weekend.
• Outlook Group – structured time-limited closed group jointly run with an Occupational Therapist from the Assertive Outreach Team (AOT)
• Social Group – staff supported group, offering casual social activities co-facilitated with the AOT.
• Gym Group – supported by CST on Tuesday afternoon in partnership with AOT.
• Pool/Snooker Club – fortnightly Monday afternoon, peer led, staff supported.
• Service User Review Days – Regular meetings will take place for service users to feedback and inform how the service runs.

Referrals information:

As of the 1st October 2025, our referrals process has changed and we can now only accept referrals via Care Director.

If you would like to present a referral via one of the enhanced hub MDT meetings, please get in touch so we can attend to discuss, or you can call us on one of the numbers above.

Service Referral Criteria:

1. Service user is over 18 and lives in Leeds

2. High levels of complexity and risk must be present; for example violence and aggression/forensic history, regular contact with crisis services, behaviour that compromises safety such as self harm, any other factors, please evidence when referring.

3. Struggles to engage with other services and/or are excluded/banned/declined from mainstream services, please evidence when referring.

4. A severe and enduring Mental Health condition.

Exclusions:

• First episode psychosis

• Mild to moderate conditions

• Low/no risk associated

• People whose needs could be met by mainstream services

How to refer:

• Consider our Service Referral Criteria (above). Please also refer to our service criteria when entering your referral information into ‘Presenting Need’ on Care Director.

•Please follow these instructions for completing a referral on Care Director: Referral to Touchstone CST

• Please also indicate in ‘Presenting Need’ that your referral is for the CST team (we share a duty desk with Complex Psychosis Practitioners (CPP) and Community Wellbeing Practitioners (CWC).

• LYPFT referrers – please ensure there is an recent RAMP and GATE available. We require an in date RAMP and GATE with details of presenting need, which meets the above criteria to be on Care Director at the point of referral.

• PCMH/Other Organisation referrers – please complete a case note with all relevant assessment and risk information, or if preferred, you can complete our referral form (download below) and attach to Care Director.

If you are unable to refer via Care Director, please call us to discuss or email cst@touchstonesuppport.org.uk