Impact Assertive Outreach Team was set up in January 1996, after it was identified that there were a number of clients with whom statutory mental health services were unable to engage.

Impact is based in the voluntary sector, but has substantial statutory duties, including Care Management, C.P.A. coordination Risk Assessment plus Mental Health Act duties.

Impact is a multi-disciplinary team, which consists of:
• Approved Social Workers
• Community Psychiatric Nurses
• Psychologist
• Housing Liaison worker
• Activities & Occupation Worker
• Psychiatrist with Special Registrar and Senior House Officer
• Administrator
• Co-ordinator & Deputy Co-ordinator

What Does Impact Do?
We work with people in the borough of Hammersmith & Fulham who have serious & enduring mental health problems who have previously not wanted to engage with mental health services.

We work with a 'Whole Team Approach', in order to offer a flexible and multi-skilled service. This means that we do not carry individual caseloads. The whole team is able to work with all of the service users, ensuring consistency and a flexible service.

Impact always endeavours to see people on their own terms - when & where they choose. We spend much of our time visiting people in the community. This can involve meeting people at home, in a café, in the park or wherever they feel most comfortable.

Our multi-skilled team can offer a number of services including:
• Frequent, flexible visits
• Out of hours on-call system; always someone to talk to in a crisis
• Housing & benefits advice & advocacy
• Counselling & psychological interventions
• Help with practical & domestic tasks i.e., accessing domiciliary care, decorating & cleaning services
• Medication: both administering medication & providing advice
• Assistance & advice regarding returning to education & employment
• Access to leisure & recreational opportunities in the borough
• Assistance in dealing with the criminal justice system
• Referral to other sources of support i.e.: drug & alcohol services
• Carers' Support Group.

Who Do We Work With?
We work with people with severe mental health problems who have had frequent and recent admissions to psychiatric hospital, and who may have substance misuse problems or housing problems. Many of our clients have had contact with the police or the criminal justice system.
We work only with people who have a history of non-engagement with mental health statutory services.

When & How can The Impact Assertive Outreach Team be contacted?
We are open from 9.30am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday.
If you would like to contact us, Telephone us on: 0207 602 8600
Fax: 0207 603 5560
Email on: impact@hf-mind.co.uk

Downloads
Referral & discharge criteria