We support the important relationships that babies, toddlers, and young children have with the people who care for them, so they can have the best possible start in life. We help families and the people who work with them from ‘conception to reception’ through pregnancy and the early years, until children start school at age five.

What is infant mental health?

The words infant mental health can sound confusing. Infant mental health refers to how babies and children feel and how they learn to deal with their feelings.

When babies and children are comforted and cared for, they feel safe to explore their world, to play and to learn. When parents understand their babies’ and children’s signals and respond, they start to learn how to manage their feelings and build strong relationships. Babies and children who have safe and loving relationships are more able to enjoy the world around them. It helps them grow up happy and healthy!

Who is the infant mental health service for?

• From pregnancy through to the child’s early life to the age of five.
• Families who are registered with a GP in Leeds

Who are the Infant Mental Health team?

• We are a small team who work across the city of Leeds.
• We are all health professionals who have experience and training in helping parents, and carers to support their babies and toddlers with their feelings and relationship.

Referrals to IMHS

Only certain health professionals in Leeds can refer a baby, toddler or unborn baby and their parent or carer to our service (if the parent agrees). This is called a closed referral system. There are two steps: first, the professional makes a phone call to us, then they send a referral form.

Before you request a duty call and make a referral

Please read our guidelines:

• One minute guide to an IMH duty telephone call

If you are a professional working in the local perinatal mental health service, please read these specific guidelines:

• Guidance for duty calls with perinatal mental health and infant mental health

Please read our guidelines before booking in a duty call. We would always encourage you to speak with the family in the first instance if you think our service could be helpful or you would like some general advice. To book a “duty slot” with an IMH practitioner please contact us on 0113 8430841.

For parents and carers

If you’re worried about your relationship with your unborn baby, your baby or toddler, please reach out and speak to your midwife, your 0 to 19 specialist public health nurse (health visitor), your GP or any other professional you might be working with (for example, perinatal mental health service). We can work together to see whether our service could be helpful or what other support might be available.

For professionals

Please see the previous tab “Before you make a referral”. If you have any questions, please contact our team on 0113 8430841.

When making a referral, please choose from the following forms

• Under 2 IMHS referral form
• Over 2 IMHS referral form