This page provides guidance in relation to the decision-making process used by CAMHS to determine whether or not to accept a request for service.<\/p>\n
In Swindon we are not commissioned to deliver Getting Help services and these are delivered by TAMHS, please see the separate page for Swindon here.<\/p>\n
For referrals for under-5s, please discuss with Health Visitor (who can consider the need in relation to the Infant Mental Health Pathway).<\/p>\n
Each request for service received by the CAMHS service is screened carefully to check whether the child or young person requires a specialist mental health assessment. This reflects the fact that all children and young people are different, so we need to look at each individual circumstance to determine the best course of action.<\/p>\n
There are three key areas which we consider when we make this decision: Impact\/Intensity, Duration and Context.<\/p>\n
Specialist mental health services like CAMHS work with children and young people whose mental health difficulties are having a significant impact (usually on several areas of their lives) \u2013 for example, at school, socially and at home.<\/p>\n
These difficulties are also likely to be significant in their intensity or severity. If difficulties are only in one area or are not too severe then we may advise that other local services and self-care options are tried first as often these are sufficient to resolve the issue.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
CAMHS usually work with children and young people whose difficulties have been impacting on their life for a significant amount of time. This is usually about three months or more.<\/p>\n
Often support from other local services and self-care options are able to resolve an issue which has only been affecting a child or young person for a shorter time.<\/p>\n
However, if there has been a sudden change in behaviour or the young person is posing a significant risk to themselves or others then a referral to CAMHS is may be necessary.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
CAMHS considers the circumstances experienced by each young person at the time as these often provide important context to the issues they are experiencing.<\/p>\n
This might include current or recent major events such as bereavement, physical illness or family breakdown (which may be appropriately supported by other agencies but which may not be indicative of a mental health disorder).<\/p>\n
They also look at the support the young person is already receiving (from their school, their family, social care etc) and what impact this has had.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Below is a general guide to help you to consider what might be a helpful next step for a child or young person.<\/p>\n
Experiences that most young people will have from time to time.<\/p>\n Difficulties which:<\/p>\n Challenges that some young people experience and may need some help with.<\/p>\n Difficulties that have significant impact and duration which may require a specialist mental health intervention by CAMHS.<\/p>\n Difficulties which:<\/p>\n\n Description of difficulties<\/span>\n <\/summary>\n
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\n Enter short summary<\/span>\n <\/summary>\n
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Amber<\/span><\/h3>\n
\n Description of difficulties<\/span>\n <\/summary>\n
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\n What to do<\/span>\n <\/summary>\n
\n
Red<\/span><\/h3>\n
\n Description of difficulties<\/span>\n <\/summary>\n
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