Merton Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) - single point of referral

Anyone who uses our services first gets an assessment of their mental health needs and a plan of the care and support they will receive. They will also will also have one named person who co-ordinates their care and support. This person will be called either a named professional  or, if your needs are more complex,  a care co-ordinator. This person should be your main point of contact.  You can speak to them about how your treatment and support are going.

Referrals are accepted from a number of professionals including:

• GP's
• Social workers 
• Health professionals including paediatricians, school nurses and health visitors.
• Adult mental health services
• Schools, via the educational phychologist, SENCO, or behaviour support team.
• Tier 2 multi-agency teams.

• Referrals to Merton CAMHS are currently accepted from professionals such as GPs, Teachers, Social Workers, School Nurses or any other health or educational professional if they feel there is a need for the CAMHS services. Young people aged 16 and 17 can also self refer into the service. This is currently a pilot offer, due to expire in March 2021, pending additional funding.Referral form can be sent to the SPA via email to ssg-tr.spamertoncamhs@nhs.net
• Professionals can call the SPA team on 0800 292 2505 prior to making a formal referral for an opinion regarding a particular child, young person or family with whom they are working. The Single Point of Access staff can advise on:
• All referrals are received by an assessment team called the Single Point of Access (SPA).
• Whether Community CAMHS can help
• How to make a referral
• What information the service needs
• The timescale for being seen
• What support might be available pending the first appointment
• The SPA team will screen all referrals and offer an appointment either face to face or via a telephone interview to determine the most suitable treatment options to address issues presented at the point of referral.When the SPA team have carried out the initial screening and assessment the young person will be offered a relevant intervention option. This may include ‘Getting More Support’ from an identified clinician based at Birches House,  offering an evidence-based treatment (either relevant individual or family therapy). In addition, the young person could be referred to another service within the borough that is best placed to meet the young person or family’s needs (including voluntary sector services). 
• 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 circumstances.
• We are closely linked with the Paediatric Liaison Team who assess young people presenting in crisis and we provide follow-up and on-going treatment as required.