Providing mental health assessment and treatment for children, young people and families living in the London Borough of Wandsworth
Wandsworth Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) treatment Tier 3 team
CAMHS stands for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. Wandsworth CAMHS offers a range of treatments and assessments for children and young people aged 5- 18 who are experiencing moderate to severe mental health problems. Where appropriate a combination of approaches is used in line with the young person's needs and as agreed with the family through care planning.
Conditions we treat
Our job is to promote emotional wellbeing and provide assessment, formulation, intervention and risk management to children and young people (up to the age of 18) with moderate to severe and enduring mental health needs which impact significantly on daily functioning.
Mental and emotional health difficulties in the moderate to severe/complex range, including:
What you can expect
A combination of evidence based interventions are delivered in line with the young person's needs and as agreed with the family, through care planning. Interventions are time-limited, targeted and goal-focussed. Treatment progress is reviewed regularly, and we aim to facilitate smooth transition and step-down/discharge from the service. We will likely ask you to complete some questionnaires at assessment and so we can measure progress towards your therapy goals.
We assess moderate to severe mental health needs and offer formulation and/or diagnosis and recommendations for treatment. We also offer risk assessment and risk management, to support Children and Young People to maintain safety and optimal functioning.
Interventions offered include (though are not limited to):
- Individual Psychological talking therapies such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
- Systemic (Family) Therapy (SFT)
- Pharmacotherapy (medication) with advice and monitoring
- Parenting work around the child's needs
- Consultations and network meetings with other professionals
- Risk management and support with transition to adult services
- Integrative approaches
We are a service for all and we are keen to ensure we are inclusive and mindful of protected characteristics in a Young Person's formulation and engagement with service, such as: race, ethnicity and culture; gender and sex; sexuality; age and ability.
Dependent on the needs and circumstances/preference of the young person, we are able to offer interventions either face-to-face, online or via telephone, or a combination of these (where this is possible given the intervention and risk level).
In order to reduce waiting times and avoid wasted appointments, we do request that notice is provided more than 24 hours in advance if you are unable to attend an appointment, and two missed or cancelled appointments may result in a new referral to the service being required.
Referrals
Referrals to Wandsworth CAMHS are currently accepted from professionals such as GP's, Teachers, Social Workers, School Nurses or any other health or educational professional, if they feel there is a need for the CAMHS services.
All referrals are received by an assessment team called the Single Point of Access (SPA).
Referrals to our SPA Team can be made by emailing wandsworthcamhsreferrals@swlstg.nhs.uk
SPA staff can advise further on what information is useful for a referral, timescale for being seen and support which might be available pending the first appointment.
If you are 16 or over you can also self-refer by emailing us and requesting the self referral form and sending this back to the above email address.
What does SPA do:
The SPA team views all referrals (daily where possible) and offers an initial phone call to consider next steps. In some cases a further face to face/extended telephone/online assessment is offered to determine the most appropriate service to address the Young Person's needs.
The SPA team will also send questionnaires about the young person in order for the team to gain more insight into the Young Person's challenges.
When the SPA team have carried out the initial screening and assessment the young person will be offered a relevant intervention option or signposted to the most useful service (which may include local borough and voluntary sector services).
We are closely linked with the Camhs Emergency Care Service, who assess young people presenting in crisis at A&E, and may provide follow-up as required.
Referrals for children presenting for assessment of Neurodevelopmental difficulties (ASD / ADHD) will be screened initially in SPA. If threshold for diagnosis is met and reflected in the screening measures you will be referred to the dedicated service for Neurodevelopmental difficulties so that a more comprehensive assessment and/or diagnosis of the difficulties can be undertaken.
Referrals for children presenting with Eating Disorders (Anorexia and Bulimia) will be screened initially in SPA. If threshold for diagnosis is met, onward referral to the SWLSTG Trust's dedicated service for children and young people presenting with Eating Disorders will follow, so that a more comprehensive assessment and treatment of the difficulties can be undertaken.
Facilities at Wandsworth
Where to find us
Wandsworth CAMHS
Building 1, Entrance 1
Harewood House
Springfield University Hospital
61 Glenburnie Road
London
SW17 7DJ
Telephone: 020 3513 5000
Email: WandsworthCAMHS@swlstg.nhs.uk
Our opening hours
Monday - Friday: 09.00 - 17.00
If you, or your parent/carer is concerned about your deteriorating mental health, and you think you would benefit from crisis support, advice, and guidance, you can call:
0203 228 5980 (Monday - Friday: 5pm - 11pm) and (Saturday, Sunday, Bank Holidays: 9am - 11pm)
This help line is staffed by CAMHS Crisis Practitioners, to help you or the young person you're caring for through a period of crisis or significant distress.
How to find us
A-Z of services
Contact centre - 020 3513 5000
(not a 24/7 service)
Mental Health Crisis Line
Contact us
Mental Health Support Line
Childline
Samaritans