Professionals from all over the county came together at the Oxford Health event to hear about the latest developments in the service and spread good practice. A number of parents were also in attendance.

Oxford Health’s CAMHS provides a wide range of mental health support services for children and young people in Oxfordshire.

This includes services for young people who may experience challenges related to anxiety or depression, as well as those with neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD and Autism.

Many CAMHS services are delivered in partnership with other statutory organisations such as councils.

Vicky Norman (pictured), who heads the Oxford Health CAMHS service in Oxfordshire, said that the day was incredibly important for keeping people in the loop.

She explained: “To ensure that children and young people’s needs continue to be at the centre of what we do takes a lot of coordination across services.

“Today’s event brought professionals who work with children from across Oxfordshire together so they could learn more about the specific services on offer and future plans.

“The event is all part of our efforts to keep partners informed about what we do and listen to any concerns they have.”

The meeting heard updates from professionals working in CAMHS about the I-Thrive Framework.

The framework was originally developed by the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust and the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families in 2014.

It envisions an integrated, person-centred and needs-led approach to delivering mental health services for children, young people and families in five categories (from treating mild to more severe symptoms):  Thriving, Getting Advice and Signposting, Getting Help, Getting More Help and Getting Risk Support.

The framework is part of the NHS Long Term Plan.

The meeting also heard about a new online “Walking with You” offer, open to people aged 6-25 for people with poor mental health and developments in the Supportive Steps programme which offers early intervention.

Jules Francis-Sinclair, chair of the Oxfordshire Parent Carers Forum, was at the event.

She said: “It was great to be part of this event and to learn more about the services that are on offer.

“Understanding what support is available and how we can work together to help families navigate these services is crucial – particularly so in the midst of a national crisis in children and young people’s mental health.”