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As a parent, it’s completely natural to worry about your child’s mental health, and figuring out what to do or where to go for help can be overwhelming. This blog post aims to guide you through the process of accessing support through Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
The NHS provides free mental health support for children facing mental health, neurodevelopmental, behavioural, and emotional difficulties. Services are typically delivered by a multidisciplinary team that may include nurses, psychologists, occupational therapists, psychiatrists, and, in some cases, social workers. This diverse mix of professionals ensures that your child receives comprehensive, person-cantered care.
Understanding the Referral Process to CAMHS
Care within CAMHS can vary significantly across different NHS Trusts, including referral criteria. I recommend visiting your local NHS Trust’s website for specific information. In my experience as a mental health professional working in a Single Point of Access team, various criteria are considered before a referral is accepted. Below, I’ll outline how to access services and get the right help.
Making a Referral
The CAMHS Access Team receives numerous referrals every day. Some teams experience backlogs in screening and triaging referrals, which can take weeks, sometimes resulting in outright rejections. Typically, a nurse leads the triage process, assessing risks and possibly contacting you for additional information. The quality of the referral is crucial. Referrals from GPs often lack sufficient detail and may be rejected for that reason.
To improve the likelihood of acceptance, I recommend including:
- Onset and duration of the problem
- A brief description of what’s happening
- Severity of the issue
- Any risks involved
- Previous interventions attempted
Many NHS Trusts also accept referrals directly from parents or caregivers. This can often result in more comprehensive information, though it’s important to present facts—such as dates, events, and examples—rather than focusing solely on emotions. This factual approach helps clinicians make timely and informed decisions.
Referral Documentation
The method of referral is also important. If a referral is sent via email, post, or other means that do not align with the team’s established procedures, it can easily get lost. If you are unsure about the referral process, check your Trust’s website for guidance. I have seen instances where referrals submitted on incorrect forms were rejected, leading to unnecessary delays in accessing care.
What Happens After Referral?
During the screening or triaging process, the quality of the information provided, the nature of the problems, and any associated risks are evaluated. This assessment determines how quickly support will be provided and the level of intervention required.
Understanding Risks
Risks play a critical role in the referral process. If the assessed risk is low, your child may be placed on a waiting list or referred to community resources. Conversely, if the risk is high, the referral may be escalated to a crisis team or you can be sent to A&E. Risk assessment is somewhat subjective; clinicians follow guidelines and may consult with team members, but ultimately, your child’s safety is the top priority.
Once risks are assessed, the clinician will evaluate how CAMHS can help and whether another service might be more appropriate.
Previous Support
Clinicians will also consider whether your child has accessed any support in primary care settings. This could include school counselling, charitable support, or private therapy. For instance, some schools offer low-intensity talking therapies or early interventions focused on managing emotions or behaviours. There are also many charitable organisations that provide counselling services.
Identifying Need
Understanding why your child is being referred to CAMHS is essential. For example, children who have lost a family member may benefit more from bereavement services, while those who have experienced sexual abuse might need specialised trauma support. Identifying the specific need helps avoid unnecessary delays in accessing appropriate support.
Identifying Need
After assessing risks, identifying problems, and considering potential resolutions, a formulation is made. The outcome can vary. Many Trusts aim to signpost families to low-intensity support and typically only accept patients who are complex (with comorbidities), at high risk, or who have tried other options before approaching CAMHS.
Parents often ask, “How long will I have to wait?” Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer. While teams may have some idea of typical waiting times, these can fluctuate based on the risks, complexity, and severity of each case.
For further guidance, I have compiled some resources below. You can also contact your local CAMHS service to ask questions about the referral process and how it works. Feel free to explore the resources provided, and remember, you are not alone on this journey.
NHS Trusts | Referrals |
NELFT (North East London Foundation Trust) Covering: London borough of Havering, Barking & Dagenham, Redbridge and Waltham Forest. | |
NELFT (North East London Foundation Trust) in Essex | Southend, Essex and Thurrock (SET) CAMHS | NELFT NHS Foundation Trust
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NELFT (North East London Foundation Trust) in Kent | |
South London and Maudsley NHS Trust Covering: Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark. | |
West London NHS Trust Covering: Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham and Hounslow | |
ELFT (East London Foundation Trust) Covering: South Bedfordshire & Luton, North Bedfordshire, City & Hackney, Newham and Tower Hamlets. | |
Central and North West NHS Foundation Trust Covering: Brent, Harrow, Hillington, Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, Milton Keynes. | Contact :: Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust |
North Central London NHS Covering: Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey and Islington; and surrounding areas | Referrals – Barnet, Enfield and Haringey | North London NHS Foundation Trust |
Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust Covering: Camden and other areas. | |
Oxley’s Covering: Bexley and Greenwich, Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, |
