CAMHS Support for CiC

 

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) for Children in Care

CAMHS LOOKED AFTER TEAM BROCHURE

Why might CAMHS CLA become involved?

There are many reasons why it might be necessary for CAMHS CLA to become involved with supporting a young person in care or the team around that young person. CAMHS CLA work to promote the health and well-being of young people who are looked after and who live in foster care, residential care or who live independently up to the age of 18. They assess and treat young people in care who have emotional, behavioural or mental health difficulties, as well as offering support to their foster carers, social workers and education settings. CAMHS support covers difficulties such as attachment, depression, problems with eating, self-harm, violence or anger and anxiety, to name a few.

Who carries out this intervention?

CAMHS CLA has a team made up of a variety of professionals (e.g. therapists, psychologists, social workers and support workers) who use their training and specialist knowledge to support the health and well-being of young people in care.

What can this intervention offer?

CAMHS CLA intervention comes in many different forms. Once a member of the CAMHS CLA team has discussed with the stakeholders their needs, they will identify the most appropriate intervention. Below are the key areas in which CAMHS CLA support is offered:

Consultations:

  • CAMHS CLA work closely with the young person’s network (social workers, foster carers and other professionals) to ensure everyone is working together to promote the health and well-being of the young person in care.

Fostering and Attachments Group:

  • CAMHS CLA run groups and training sessions to help foster carers to develop their skills in caring for the young person they look after and in understanding and meeting their needs.

Direct Work:

  • CAMHS CLA provide one-to-one support in a variety of forms depending on what the young person needs e.g. art therapies, play therapies or talking therapies.

Theraplay:

  • CAMHS CLA use Theraplay to support young people and their foster carers to build their attachment with each other through play and nurture in a therapeutic setting.

How can this intervention be accessed?

It would usually be a social worker who would make a referral to CAMHS CLA, although a discussion would have taken place with the foster carers to get their views on the referral too. Referrals can also be made by GPs, community paediatricians, children in care nurses and education professionals. Depending on the age of the young person, they may also be able to refer themselves.  The young person’s needs would be discussed with a CAMHS CLA specialist to identify what help could be provided or to be signposted to a more appropriate service.

Would you like more information?

If you would like more information about the Nottingham City CAMHS CLA, please contact Nottingham City Virtual School:

Telephone: 0115 876 4692

Email:  thevirtualschool@nottinghamcity.gov.uk