Stepped care mental health model

A stepped care recovery model seeks to treat service users at the lowest appropriate service tier in the first instance, only 'stepping up' to intensive/specialist services as clinically required.

The level of professional input is augmented gradually, until satisfactory health status is achieved.  This offers clinical and financial advantages that can benefit service users, the Trust and commissioners.  Stepped care incorporates:

• evidence-based practice
• keeps interventions low key
• increases standards of self-management
• increases skills and confidence of practitioners
• makes good use of skill mix