Bloom is an early intervention consultation model for professionals that aims to support children’s emotional, social, and mental wellbeing. It is a partnership approach between Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Cornwall Council, HeadStart Kernow, and other services and organisations. Operating within the framework of the Tavistock i-THRIVE model, Bloom is a rapid and responsive model for children and young people from 0-18.
Working across Cornwall, the project involves a multi-agency professional team (from across health, social care, CAMHS and the third sector) coming together to formulate a holistic plan to support each young person with their emotional, social and mental wellbeing. Children and young people are represented at the meeting by a nominated professional of their choice. The support plan draws upon a range of provision and makes use of local community and voluntary projects. Each of the six localities in Cornwall has oversight of how the model operates locally, with a central Bloom Cornwall-wide Steering Group. Young people are also sometimes provided with a HeadStart Youth Facilitator to support them with activities and access to support. The Bloom model and process underwent a comprehensive evaluation in 2020/21, which included a cost-benefit analysis, engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, and a data and analysis comparison report between 2019 and 2020. The report recognised the unique value of having a child-centred professional consultation model, which is agile, responsive and cost effective. A key part of the model was the involvement in Bloom meetings of a CAMHS Clinical Psychologist and a Primary Mental Health Worker, with a sense that without Bloom, there would be a greater number of CAMHS referrals.
https://www.headstartkernow.org.uk/learning/bloom-evaluation/