What does WALK support look like?

A keyworker helps make sure the right support is in place at the right time. They work with the child or young person, their family, and professionals in health, education and social care. 

The keyworker brings everyone together and arranges meetings to check the child or young person is getting the support they need. 

The aim is to give support early and help avoid hospital stays. 

Who can use the WALK Service?

This service is for children and young people aged 0 to 25 who have a diagnosis of autism and/or a learning disability. 

In Wirral, the WALK team manages the Dynamic Support Database (DSD). 

The DSD is a list of children and young people who may need extra help in the community. It helps services work together to support mental health and improve outcomes. 

What information does the Dynamic Support Database include?

The information on the DSD depends on the child or young person and what they need. It usually includes: 

• name, date of birth, NHS number and home address 

• names of professionals involved in their care 

• how they are doing in health, education and social care 

• key information to help keep them safe 

If a child or young person is rated as red or amber, their care is checked often with their support team. This helps make sure they get the right help. 

How the database helps the WALK Team

Children and young people’s needs can change quickly. 

The DSD helps services spot problems early and give support in the community before things get worse. 

If a child or young person is on the DSD, they may have a named keyworker from the WALK team. 

If they are at risk of going into a mental health hospital, the keyworker will work with the family and services to try to avoid this. 

If a hospital stay is needed, the keyworker will help make sure it is as short as possible. They will also help plan the right support for when the child or young person comes home. 

To get support from a WALK keyworker, the child or young person must: 

• be on the Dynamic Support Database 

• have a main professional involved, such as a Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services (CYP MHS) caseworker, social worker or multi-disciplinary team (MDT) 

They must also meet one of the following: 

• have been to Accident and Emergency (A&E) or offered a Tier 4 hospital bed in the last 12 months 

• be at high risk of going back into a Tier 4 hospital, including the Children’s Eating Disorder Service (CHEDS) 

• have had problems with support that have affected their mental health 

How to get support from the WALK Team

To have support from a keyworker, the child or young person must: 

• be rated amber or red on the Dynamic Support Database 

• give consent to be added to the database 

You can find and complete the self-referral form here. Referral Request for Addition to Wirral Dynamic Support Database v1. (2)

As well as filling in the self-referral form, you will need to send a digital copy of the autism and/or learning disability diagnosis letter. 

Email it to: walk@wirral.gov.uk