Warwickshire families gain a new route to early help

beehiveweb.co.uk editorial team 2026-08-03 14:51 3 min read

Yellow family symbol painted on dark asphalt ground representing community support services.

Families across Warwickshire can now seek early mental health support for a child or young person without waiting for a professional referral. ECHO launched on 3 August 2026, offering online and telephone self-referral for concerns such as anxiety, stress, low mood and difficulty managing emotions.

The name stands for Every Child Heard and Offered support. Warwickshire County Council says the community-based service is intended to provide help before emotional wellbeing difficulties escalate.

Who can use the new Warwickshire service

ECHO is available to children and young people up to the age of 18. The age limit rises to 25 for young people who have an Education, Health and Care Plan, commonly known as an EHCP.

Anyone can seek ECHO support for a child or young person. Children, young people and their carers can also self-refer, making it possible to approach the service directly rather than relying solely on a referral from a school, GP or another professional.

The service operates across Warwickshire and focuses on early, lower-level mental health and emotional wellbeing needs. This describes the service’s remit rather than the effect those difficulties may have on a young person’s daily life.

Early concerns covered by ECHO

Families may approach ECHO when a child or young person is:

feeling anxious or worried;
struggling with stress or low mood;
experiencing friendship or school difficulties;
finding emotions difficult to manage; or
needing coping strategies and early support.

Coventry, Warwickshire and Worcestershire Mind said changes in behaviour, mood or physical health may also prompt families to seek help, particularly when a young person becomes withdrawn, frustrated or struggles with everyday life.

Counselling, guidance and family support

The support offered will depend on the child or young person’s needs. Confirmed options include counselling, advice and guidance, and help developing practical coping strategies.

Warwickshire families gain a new route to early help

Parents and professionals may receive consultation support. ECHO can also direct families to other appropriate services, including bereavement support, when that is a better fit.

The service is funded by Warwickshire County Council and NHS Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board. It is delivered by Coventry, Warwickshire and Worcestershire Mind, working with Guardian Ballers, the Anna Freud Centre, Relationships Coventry and Warwickshire, and Lifespace Trust. That partnership is intended to give families a wider choice of support.

Specialist care remains available for complex needs

ECHO does not replace Warwickshire’s specialist children and young people’s mental health provision. Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust will continue to support young people with more complex needs through its Children and Young People’s Services – Mental Health, previously known as Rise.

This distinction means ECHO is positioned as an earlier layer of community support, while the NHS trust retains responsibility for specialist mental health services.

How families can contact ECHO

Families can self-refer online through echosupport.org.uk or call 02476 631835.

Telephone lines are open:

Monday to Thursday, 9am to 4.30pm;
Friday, 9am to 4pm.

Further information about eligibility and available support is published in the service’s online FAQs at echosupport.org.uk/faqs/.

Source: Warwickshire County Council

Context & actions About this article

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Service eligibility, support options, launch date and contact details were checked against Warwickshire County Council's published notice.

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Confirmed that ECHO launched across Warwickshire on 3 August 2026.
Checked the standard age limit and the extended limit for young people with an EHCP.
Matched the telephone number and opening hours to the council announcement.
Confirmed the distinction between ECHO's early support and the NHS trust's specialist serv...

Warwickshire County Council Check wider coverage