In order to improve accessibility for children and young people, we also need to clarify which types of problem it is not appropriate to refer to specialist CAMHS.
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It is also important that CAMHS is a secondary or specialist route of referral when behaviour is being considered as the primary route should always be universal and primary care services that can support families within their own home.
Details of local parenting groups (0-16) Includes PEEP, Incredible Years, Triple P and Raising Children with Confidence as well as Teen Triple P and Raising Teens with Confidence www.joininedinburgh.org/parenting-programmes/
Systemic Family Sessions: Free service to help families deal with difficult problems. Email: cf.systemicfamilytherapy@edinburgh.gov.uk
Conflict Resolution 2 session course run by Cyrenians Scottish Centre for Conflict Resolution (SCCR) www.scottishconflictresolution.org.uk
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(b) Children/Young People whose Difficulties Occur only at School Please note that specialist CAMHS does not provide a service for children and young people whose problems are solely related to specific learning or behavioural difficulties within the classroom. Schools have their own referral route and protocols for supporting such children.
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For these children/young people it is usually more appropriate for schools to raise concerns with their educational services, which may include Educational Psychology. If a referral to CAMHS is appropriate it is best made in consultation with the schools’ Educational Psychologist in these circumstances. |
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(c) Children/Young People Whose Parents are in Dispute within Legal Proceedings Children of separated / divorced parents who are in legal dispute about residence and /or contact arrangements or other issues are not specifically excluded in these guidelines though the decision to refer needs to be carefully considered on a case by case basis.
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If there are ongoing legal proceedings then it is usually better to consider a referral after the legal proceedings have been concluded and legal agreements or Order(s) have been made regarding the matters which are in dispute. Please note that it is for the Courts to order independent reports on the child, not the separate parties to the proceedings, and these reports cannot be obtained via a referral to the specialist child and adolescent mental health service. Please note that specialist CAMHS does not mediate residence and contact arrangements for the child/young person. The parent(s) could instead be advised to approach the Family Mediation Service or discuss with their solicitor, as appropriate.
Cyrenians Amber: Mediation and Support for 14-24 year olds and their families. Tel: 01314752493
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(d) Children/Young People Whose Primary Difficulty is Substance Misuse AND (e) Children/Young People Whose Difficulty is Described as Offending Behaviour
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In both of these circumstances it is important that a coordinated integrated assessment to the child or young person’s situation is undertaken. This is the responsibility of the local authority social work department in the first instance.
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