5.1.3 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
Description of a Typical Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, the Role Within this Service of the Psychiatrist and Multidisciplinary Team Members. Basic Information on Different Agencies Involved in the Care of Children and their Function.
In the UK, child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) are available for children and young people aged up to 18 years who are experiencing mental health problems. These services offer a range of interventions, including assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. CAMHS are typically delivered by a multidisciplinary team that includes psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, and other mental health professionals.
The role of the psychiatrist within the CAMHS team is to provide specialist medical expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have undergone specialist training in mental health and are qualified to prescribe medication. They work collaboratively with other members of the team to provide a comprehensive and coordinated approach to the care of young people with mental health problems.
Tiered concept of CAMHS:
| Tier | Description |
| Tier 1 | Workers in primary care or universal services (e.g., GPs, health visitors, school nurses, social workers, teachers, and youth workers) who interact with young people but have no specific mental health training. |
| Tier 2 | Specialist mental health clinicians trained in child development, working individually with young people and families in community clinics, focusing on mild to moderate mental health difficulties; may provide consultation to Tier 1. |
| Tier 3 | Clinicians working as part of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) addressing complex, moderate to severe mental health problems, which may be acute or chronic; may include consultation. |
| Tier 4 | Specialist teams working with young people with severe and/or complex difficulties requiring a combination or intensity of interventions beyond Tier 3 capabilities, e.g., specialist outpatient teams, day patient services, and inpatient units. |
Other members of the multidisciplinary team may have a range of roles and responsibilities, depending on their professional background and expertise. Clinical psychologists, for example, may provide psychological assessment and therapy, while nurses may provide support with medication management and monitoring. Social workers may provide support with social and environmental issues that may be impacting the young person’s mental health.
A typical CAMHS service may offer a range of interventions, including individual and group therapy, medication management, family therapy, and support with accessing other services, such as education or housing. The specific services offered may vary depending on the needs of the young person and the resources available in the local area.
The following table provides a summary of the roles and responsibilities of different members of the multidisciplinary team within a CAMHS service:
| Role | Responsibilities |
| Psychiatrist | Medical assessment, diagnosis, and treatment, prescribing medication |
| Clinical psychologist | Psychological assessment and therapy |
| Nurse | Medication management and monitoring |
| Social worker | Support with social and environmental issues |
| Occupational therapist | Support with daily living skills and activities |
| Family Therapist | Support with family dynamics and relationships |
Overall, CAMHS services provide essential support for young people with mental health problems, and the multidisciplinary team approach ensures that young people receive comprehensive and coordinated care.
Different Agencies:
In the UK, there is a range of agencies involved in the care of children, each with different functions and responsibilities. These agencies work together to ensure the safety and well-being of children, and to provide support and services to families.
The following table provides a summary of some of the key agencies involved in the care of children in the UK:
| Agency | Function |
| Local authority children’s services | Responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of children in their area, including safeguarding and child protection |
| National Health Service (NHS) | Provides healthcare services for children and young people, including preventative care, medical treatment, and mental health services |
| Department for Education | Responsible for setting policies and standards for education and childcare, including schools, nurseries, and childminders |
| Ofsted | Regulates and inspects childcare providers, including nurseries, childminders, and schools, to ensure they meet standards for safety, quality, and effectiveness |
| National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) | Provides support and advice for children and families, as well as campaigning to improve child protection and welfare |
| Police | Involved in safeguarding and child protection, including investigating cases of abuse or neglect |
| Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) | Provides specialist mental health services for children and young people with mental health problems |
| Child maintenance service | Responsible for ensuring that parents pay child support to support the financial costs of raising a child |
These agencies work together to provide a comprehensive system of support and protection for children and families in the UK. However, there are sometimes challenges in ensuring effective communication and coordination between agencies, and in identifying and addressing the complex needs of vulnerable children and families.
References:
- NHS. (2019). Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Retrieved from https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/mental-health-services/child-and-adolescent-mental-health-services-camhs/
- Royal College of Psychiatrists. (2019). What is CAMHS? Retrieved from https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/parents-and-young-people/information-for-parents-and-carers/what-is-camhs
- Department for Education. (2021). What we do. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education/about
- NSPCC. (2021). Our work. Retrieved from https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-we-do/
- Ofsted. (2021). About us. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted/about
- UK Government. (2021). Child maintenance service. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/child-maintenance
- UK Government. (2021). Child protection. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/topic/schools-colleges-childrens-services/child-protection
- UK Government. (2021). Childcare and early education. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/topic/early-years-childcare/childcare