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Bedfordshire and Luton Complex Needs Service

The Complex Needs Service is a multi-disciplinary specialist team that works across Bedfordshire and Luton, incorporating Bedford Borough Council, Central Bedfordshire Council, and Luton Borough Council, to improve community-based care for people with complex emotional needs associated with a diagnosis of ‘personality disorder.’

The service aims to reduce stigma and promote equality of service provision, inclusion, therapeutic optimism and empowerment.
 
The team operates as a hub, in-reaching to the community mental health services to offer specialist advice, training, consultation and supervision to other professionals and colleagues.  

Community mental health services are able to refer people with particularly complex needs and high levels of risk for assessment and evidence-based interventions, and local acute psychiatric inpatient units can request time limited additional support from the Complex Needs Service for people who have had repeated difficulty coping with the transition back to a community setting.

Address

Mountbatten House
56 High Street South
Dunstable
LU6 3HD
United Kingdom

Email address
elt-tr.complex.needsservice@nhs.net
Telephone number
01582 293000

Referrals are only accepted from Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs) and/or local acute psychiatric inpatient units.

The Complex Needs Service is based at Mountbatten House in Dunstable.

Appointments can  be held in Dunstable, Bedford, Biggleswade, Leighton Buzzard, Ampthill and Luton.

Togetherall is a completely anonymous online community of people who are anxious, down or not coping who support and help each other, available 24/7. You can express yourself freely and openly. Professionally trained Wall Guides ensure the safety and anonymity of all members: 

Mind BLMK provide a DBT peer support group - for people who have completed DBT skills training and wish to continue practising using skills.
 

The Complex Needs Service runs a monthly carers, family and friends support group for those who have loved ones with complex emotional needs, associated with a diagnosis of ’personality disorder’.

This group aims to provide a safe and confidential space for carers, family and friends to access information about complex emotional needs, share mutual experiences and challenges, give and receive guidance and support on how to manage effectively, and consider how their own needs may be met.

If you are interested in joining, please contact the Complex Needs Service via email: elt-tr.complex.needsservice@nhs.net

The Knowledge and Understanding Framework (KUF) is a co-produced and co-facilitated trauma informed training programme to improve staff confidence and competence in supporting the recovery of people with complex emotional needs, often associated with a diagnosis of personality disorder.

The aim of KUF is to improve service user experience through developing the skills and knowledge of the multiagency workforce.

KUF training is available to staff providing support to people with complex emotional needs within ELFT, Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise organisations and other partners within the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ICS. 

If you are interested in finding out more about KUF training, please email elft.kuftrainingblmk@nhs.net 
 

The Recovery College in Beds & Luton have a specialist pathway for those with complex emotional needs between the ages of 18 and 25.

This service is primarily focused on engagement and retention for this cohort, providing educational courses and workshops to enrich their lives.

Carl Ramsey is the Lead Co-ordinator for this pathway and can be contacted on 01234 263621 or by emailing elft.recoverycollege@nhs.net

If you are already working with the Complex Needs Service and require additional assistance with the application of skills you are learning, telephone skills coaching is available to you from 9am - 4.30pm (Mon-Fri).

When you contact the coaching service you will be encouraged to use the skills you have already learned to help you manage the situation more effectively.

The time to phone the coaching team is:

  • When you need help to deal with a problem you cannot solve on your own
  • When you are trying to use skills, but want some advice on how to do so more effectively
  • Before self-harming or other destructive behaviours.

If you have identified that you need more support and advice than your usual support systems can offer, then consider contacting one of the following helplines:

  • Saneline: 07984967708 (4:30pm-10:30pm every day – please leave a voicemail with your name and number, and someone will phone you back) 
  • Samaritans: 116 123 (24/7) 
  • Shout: 85258 (24/7 Text Service) 

 
You could also attend the Mind BLMK Crisis Cafés:

  • Luton: Luton Wellbeing Centre, 46-56 Dumfries Street, Luton, LU1 5BP
  • Bedford: Florence Ball House, Bedford Health Village, 3 Kimbolton Road, Bedford, MK40 2NX
  • Central Bedfordshire: The Rufus Centre, Steppingley Road, Flitwick, Bedfordshire, MK45 1AH

Luton and Bedford Crisis Café is open 5-11pm 7 days a week.
Central Beds Crisis Café is open 5-11pm on a Tuesday and Thursday only.
Phone 01525 722225 for more information.
 
If you have identified the need for professional help, this can be sought from:

  • GP 
  • NHS 111 (option 2)
  • Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) Duty Worker between 9am-5pm (Mon-Fri)
  • Emergency services on 999

Websites containing information about Personality Disorders and treatment

Websites containing information about mindfulness

Nice Guidance for Treatment and Management of Personality Disorders