The Network consultation

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Have your say on the future of the Network service

What is the Network?

The Network is a support service for people with mental health needs that provides short-term wellbeing support (up to 9 months) for people who are experiencing mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. This includes wellbeing support and signposting to engage with activities in the community. The demand into the service is generally for low level therapy-based support, with a significant proportion of people being referred whilst they wait for NHS Talking Therapies, provided by North London Mental Health Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (NLMHPT).

The Network offers workshops and group activity, in-person and online. The service operates from a council-owned building in Finchley. The Network provides support to around 80 people.

The Network is part of the council’s adult social care service.

The council’s adult social care service provides direct support to around 10,000 people each year. This support includes help from social workers and occupational therapists, provision of direct care and support in the home or in settings such as care homes, safeguarding people at risk of harm or abuse, enablement (short-term assistance that helps people regain their independence), telecare, equipment and adaptations. The council has a dedicated prevention team serving all client groups, and commissions other prevention services from local voluntary sector organisations. In mental health, the council also provides two mental health social work teams and a community rehabilitation team in partnerships with the NHS. The council’s adult social care service also provides information, advice, guidance and onward referrals to around a further 20,000 people each year.

The Network was set up as a prevention service many years ago. The council has identified that there are now many other services available to meet this type of need, which are described later on in this report. Under section 2 of the Care Act 2014 the council has a duty to prevent or delay the development of needs for care and support by adults in its area. In exercising that duty, the council must identify services, facilities and resources that are already available in the local area and the extent to which the other services are already performing the same function.

Referrals to the Network have dropped by 50% since 2014 as other services have been established. Of those people who are referred, the proportion of people who choose to take up the service offered has also decreased over time, with only 50.5% of those referred taking up the offer in 2024, and a further 19 % of those referred stopping their involvement after some initial advice and information. Conversely, the percentage of those who choose not to take up the service has increased over the same period. More detail on this is set out later in the consultation documents.

As well as supporting our communities, we are committed to the responsible management of the council’s finances. In light of the financial position of the council, consideration must be given to establish whether provision of the current resource is necessary to meet the council’s prevention responsibilities.

To ensure an informed decision is made on the future of the Network, a public consultation is being undertaken to gather the views and opinions of those who use the services and residents.


What we are seeking your views on

The consultation will invite views on two options for the Network service:

  • a continuation of the service
  • closure of the service

To find out more, please read our Network Consultation Document.

Your views are important to us and we would like to hear from people who use the service (past and present) and members of the public.


How to have your say:

  • Complete our online questionnaire

We are keen to hear your views on our proposal and encourage you to have your say by completing our online questionnaire.

  • If you would like a paper questionnaire, please email CAHConsultation@barnet.gov.uk
  • If you require the consultation in an alternative format, please email the address above.

If you would like someone to help you complete the questionnaire or need more information, please contact us as above.


Have your say on the future of the Network service

What is the Network?

The Network is a support service for people with mental health needs that provides short-term wellbeing support (up to 9 months) for people who are experiencing mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. This includes wellbeing support and signposting to engage with activities in the community. The demand into the service is generally for low level therapy-based support, with a significant proportion of people being referred whilst they wait for NHS Talking Therapies, provided by North London Mental Health Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (NLMHPT).

The Network offers workshops and group activity, in-person and online. The service operates from a council-owned building in Finchley. The Network provides support to around 80 people.

The Network is part of the council’s adult social care service.

The council’s adult social care service provides direct support to around 10,000 people each year. This support includes help from social workers and occupational therapists, provision of direct care and support in the home or in settings such as care homes, safeguarding people at risk of harm or abuse, enablement (short-term assistance that helps people regain their independence), telecare, equipment and adaptations. The council has a dedicated prevention team serving all client groups, and commissions other prevention services from local voluntary sector organisations. In mental health, the council also provides two mental health social work teams and a community rehabilitation team in partnerships with the NHS. The council’s adult social care service also provides information, advice, guidance and onward referrals to around a further 20,000 people each year.

The Network was set up as a prevention service many years ago. The council has identified that there are now many other services available to meet this type of need, which are described later on in this report. Under section 2 of the Care Act 2014 the council has a duty to prevent or delay the development of needs for care and support by adults in its area. In exercising that duty, the council must identify services, facilities and resources that are already available in the local area and the extent to which the other services are already performing the same function.

Referrals to the Network have dropped by 50% since 2014 as other services have been established. Of those people who are referred, the proportion of people who choose to take up the service offered has also decreased over time, with only 50.5% of those referred taking up the offer in 2024, and a further 19 % of those referred stopping their involvement after some initial advice and information. Conversely, the percentage of those who choose not to take up the service has increased over the same period. More detail on this is set out later in the consultation documents.

As well as supporting our communities, we are committed to the responsible management of the council’s finances. In light of the financial position of the council, consideration must be given to establish whether provision of the current resource is necessary to meet the council’s prevention responsibilities.

To ensure an informed decision is made on the future of the Network, a public consultation is being undertaken to gather the views and opinions of those who use the services and residents.


What we are seeking your views on

The consultation will invite views on two options for the Network service:

  • a continuation of the service
  • closure of the service

To find out more, please read our Network Consultation Document.

Your views are important to us and we would like to hear from people who use the service (past and present) and members of the public.


How to have your say:

  • Complete our online questionnaire

We are keen to hear your views on our proposal and encourage you to have your say by completing our online questionnaire.

  • If you would like a paper questionnaire, please email CAHConsultation@barnet.gov.uk
  • If you require the consultation in an alternative format, please email the address above.

If you would like someone to help you complete the questionnaire or need more information, please contact us as above.

Page published: 19 May 2025, 04:52 PM