Child & Adolescent Mental Health

CCAMHS will offer an intervention to any 0-18 year old that has an identified emotional-behavioural or mental health concern provided that, prior to referral, all of the following boxes can be ticked:

• First line interventions and wider family support (e.g. parenting support, school-based care plan, adult mental health intervention, appropriate physical examinations) have already been put in place to try and address the referred issue. Where there is a significant risk to health that requires early CCAMHS involvement, a comprehensive assessment by the referrer could be considered a first line intervention.
• Where safeguarding concerns about the child are present, the Children’s Services team and/or your service lead for safeguarding has been contacted for advice.
• The referrer has gained the consent of the family and, where appropriate, the child or young person for the referral to be made.
• The child or young person has been met and assessed by the referrer.
• If you are unsure of what CCAMHS can provide, you have contacted the service to discuss this.

How to refer to Community CAMHS:

Any professional or voluntary sector employee can refer a child or young person to CCAMHS. Parents, carers and young people can contact the service to discuss how they can access our interventions. Adolescents who feel that they have mental health difficulties are able to self-refer. 

When unsure whether to make a referral

If you are unsure as to whether to make a referral to CCAMHS, you are encouraged to telephone one of the Primary Mental Health Practitioners to discuss the case further.

Standard written referral

In order to make a standard referral to CCAMHS you will need to complete the CCAMHS referral form.  These referrals are reviewed weekly and you will receive written confirmation of the outcome of your referral. The service aims to provide an intervention to all accepted referrals within a maximum of 14 weeks, although this is often provided sooner.

Urgent telephone referral

If you feel the level of risk is such that a mental health response is required within 24 hours, please telephone your referral through to the service. You may then be asked to fax the referral or further information through. Following your referral, you will be informed of the action taken. CCAMHS telephone lines are open 8:30am-5pm Monday to Thursday and 8:30am-4:30pm on Fridays. Outside of these hours, for an urgent mental health response, please contact the appropriate GP or the Single Point of Access Team on 522214.

Age Limits
Lowest Age: n/a, Highest Age: 18