At what age can a child be assessed by CAMHS?

CAMHS assesses children from birth to 18 years. The assessment approach is adapted to developmental level -- a 3-year-old and a 16-year-old require completely different methods even for similar presenting concerns.

My child refuses to come to the appointment -- what should I do?

Contact the CAMHS team to discuss strategies before cancelling. Pre-visit information sheets shorter initial appointments or telephone pre-contact may reduce anxiety. Some assessments can begin with parents alone while the young person is gradually engaged.

Will my child be put on medication?

Medication is not routinely first-line for most childhood conditions. Psychological therapies are first-line. Medication is considered when therapy has been ineffective when symptoms prevent engagement with therapy or when evidence of benefit is clear.

What happens if my child is in crisis between appointments?

Your allocated worker will provide a crisis contact number. For immediate safety concerns the child should be taken to the emergency department. A written crisis safety plan with specific steps and contacts is provided at the assessment appointment.

Will assessment findings be shared with the school?

Information is shared with the school only with the family's explicit consent unless child protection concerns require disclosure. A CAMHS report supporting school-based interventions is often helpful and families are encouraged to consent to sharing.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Assessment

Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Assessment is a comprehensive specialist evaluation of a child or young person's mental health - assessing developmental history, family dynamics, school functioning, and clinical presentation to provide an accurate diagnosis, a tailored treatment plan, and coordinated support for the child and their family.

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Overview

Key Benefits

Discover the advantages of choosing our child and adolescent psychiatric assessment services.

Accurate specialist assessment avoids misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment

Multi-informant approach captures the child's presentation across different environments

Collaborative treatment planning ensures family understanding and investment in recommended interventions

Early accurate assessment maximises neuroplasticity and developmental outcomes

Written report supports school accommodations EHCP applications and benefit claims

Clinical Features

The technology, techniques and clinical approach behind our child and adolescent psychiatric assessment.

Multi-informant assessment integrates information from child parents school and other professionals

Age-appropriate assessment tools matched to the child's developmental level

Biopsychosocial formulation addresses all contributing factors rather than diagnosis alone

Child's own perspective given equal weight to adult informant accounts

Clear written formulation and treatment plan provided to family and GP within 2 to 4 weeks

Preparation Instructions

The assessment team provides written feedback and a formulation of the child's difficulties with recommendations for treatment. Engage fully with all recommended interventions - school-based support, family therapy, individual therapy, or medication. Keep all follow-up appointments and inform the team of any significant changes. Mental health difficulties in children are very treatable when identified early - seeking assessment early is one of the most important things a parent can do.

The Procedure

Step-by-step guide to what you can expect during your child and adolescent psychiatric assessment procedure.

Pre-Assessment Information Gathering
Before the appointment the CAMHS team reviews all available information -- school reports GP letters previous assessments and parent questionnaires. This preparation ensures the assessment time is used efficiently for the child and family.
Family and Carer Interview
Parents or carers are interviewed together with and separately from the child to build a comprehensive picture of developmental history presenting concerns their onset and impact on family and school functioning and the family's goals for the assessment.
Direct Child Assessment
The child or adolescent is assessed using age-appropriate clinical interview play observation for younger children and standardised tools. The child's own perspective on their difficulties is given equal importance to parental and professional accounts.
Collateral Information Integration
School reports educational psychology assessments previous medical investigations and professional reports are integrated with direct clinical assessment -- multiple perspectives providing a more accurate formulation than any single source alone.
Formulation and Diagnosis
All information is synthesised into a biopsychosocial formulation explaining biological psychological and social contributing factors. Diagnostic conclusions are reached using validated criteria and communicated clearly in age-appropriate language.
Treatment Planning
A collaborative treatment plan is developed with the family addressing biological psychological school-based and family-based dimensions. Follow-up arrangements and crisis planning are clearly communicated before the family leaves.

What to Expect

The assessment typically takes 1.5 to 2 hours and may be spread across more than one appointment for complex presentations. Your child will be seen alone for part of the assessment appropriate to their age and developmental level. Parents are interviewed separately to allow free discussion of concerns without worrying the child. Psychometric testing is arranged as needed and all information is treated with complete confidentiality within appropriate safeguarding limits.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Assessment

Overview

Key Benefits

Clinical Features

Preparation Instructions

The Procedure

Pre-Assessment Information Gathering

Family and Carer Interview

Direct Child Assessment

Collateral Information Integration

Formulation and Diagnosis

Treatment Planning

What to Expect

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Services

Electroconvulsive Therapy

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Psychiatric Medication Management

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