National Assembly for Wales

Children, Young People and Education Committee

CAM 06

Inquiry into Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)

Evidence from : Social Worker, Adoption Team, Caerphilly

	The Committee is interested in hearing about The availability of early intervention services for children and adolescents with mental health problems
1.	I have made 2 referrals to CAMH’s in the last year and a half.  One was rejected (Cardiff CAMH’s) - despite significant concerns with the children:- sexualized behaviour, aggression, poor concentration and running away from home ( children 7 and 8 years old).  I was told by Cardiff that they do not involve themselves in cases where children have on going long term difficulties! The Caerphilly CAMH’s area referral had the same children on the waiting list for 10 months.  They moved areas and so were not provided with a service.  This adoptive placement is now under huge pressure and may break down.
	Access to community specialist CAMHS at tier 2 and above for children and adolescents with mental health problems, including access to psychological therapies
2.	See above
	The extent to which CAMHS are embedded within broader health and social care services
3.	We used to be able to refer directly to CAMH’s psychotherapist June Golding who would work with families and children in crisis or who needed support around attachment difficulties.  This service has been stopped by health and we are no longer to use June’s expertise.
	Whether CAMHS is given sufficient priority within broader mental health and social care services, including the allocation of resources to CAMHS
4.	See comments above. I have no faith when I make a CAMH’s referral that a case will be allocated to a worker there.  I would say CAMH’s is hugely under funded within the health services.
	Whether there is significant regional variation in access to CAMHS across Wales
5.	Comments: Unable to comment.  However the provision in Cardiff (unless the problem you refer with is low level) appears to be non existent.
	The effectiveness of the arrangements for children and young people with mental health problems who need emergency services
6.	Very inaffective
	The extent to which the current provision of CAMHS is promoting safeguarding, children’s rights, and the engagement of children and young people
7.	I have been unable to obtain a CAMH’s service from CAMH’s for some significant period so cannot comment.
	Any other key issues identified by stakeholders
8.	I am alarmed at the way CAMH’s have changed in the last few years.  I used to have a confidence that families would be seen.  CAMH’s seem to have been reduced to a point that families can rarely be seen any more.  This dramatically increases the likelihood of family breakdown and children ended up with significant mental health problems in adult life.  The psychologists who I have worked with in CAMH’s in the past have been well trained and highly expert professionals who have made a huge difference to the lives of children and families who they have worked with.  It is a shame that there are so few of them these days.

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