Individuals with severe disabilities typically have IQ scores in the 20-35 range. (World Health Organisation), may exhibit a wide range of characteristics, which may include:
We do not routinely assess I.Q scores within our team.
'Learning disability' does not include all those who have a 'learning difficulty' (e.g. Dyslexia)". (Valuing People, DOH, 2001).
This includes medical advice for Statements of Special Educational Need (SEN).
Complete the Single Point of Entry form and send to the address on the form and attach any supporting information which would be of help.
There is always someone available for advice if you are not sure what is appropriate.
It is expected that informed consent for the referral has been obtained from someone with legal parental responsibility for the child or young person. Young people aged 16 and above can consent to a referral in their own right. Some young people under 16 may consent to a referral and request that their parents are not informed. In this case it is expected that the referrer has decided that he young person has Gillick competency and has considered the risks and benefits of not informing the parents or carers of the referral.
Referrals to the CAMHS Service are accepted from: - Health (GP's, paediatricians, health visitors, school nurses), social workers, educational psychologists, education welfare officers, Youth Offending Team, Head teachers of Special Schools. SENCos at secondary schools who have had attended training on referral to CAMHS
Severity
Specialist CAMHS will accept referrals of children and young people whose symptoms or distress and degree of social and/or functional impairment are severe.
Duration
Usually, the duration of these difficulties should be not less than three months.
For severe / life-threatening conditions (see below) and for other conditions where there is severe impairment of functioning, the referral should be made immediately and discussed with a senior member of the CAMHS team.
Severe Mental Health Disorders
Specialist CAMHS will accept referrals where there is a likelihood that the child or young person has a severe mental health disorder.
Case Complexity
Specialist CAMHS will accept referrals where there is a high level of case complexity.
This might include, for example, multiple risk factors, complex family problems, child protection concerns.
Please note that any child protection concerns should already have been reported to the statutory agencies prior to referral.
Timing of the Involvement of Specialist CAMHS Services
Despite the apparent intensity or severity of a problem when it is first identified, an important issue for the child/young person and family is the timing of the involvement of specialist CAMHS services. This should be discussed carefully with the parent(s) and the child/young person because they are best placed to know when they are ready to engage with services which might lead to a programme of treatment that will require their involvement.
Cases that do not meet the referral criteria may be returned to the referrer. It is also possible that mild to moderate cases may be passed to Primary Mental Health workers for possible consultation, joint working and advice about management.
Direct assessment
The child or young person needs to have been seen in person and assessed by the referrer prior to making a referral to the service.
Intervention by frontline staff
It is an essential requirement before a referral can be accepted into specialist CAMHS that attempts have been made by frontline staff (e.g. primary health care staff, school staff, school health nurse, CYPS staff) to resolve the child / young person's difficulties or problems before making a referral. Many children/young people can be helped in this way and, generally, it is better if the problems can be resolved without the need to identify the child/young person with mental health services though we are always happy to consult / advise as necessary.
Likelihood of Attendance
If the referrer knows that a family has found it difficult to attend for CAMHS appointments in the past, the referrer will be asked to consider how they can help the family to engage with CAMHS this time before making the referral. We will also need to know from you, the referrer, what we can do to try to ensure the family's engagement.
CYPS Assessments
For referrals from CYPS, a social work Initial or Core Assessment, or a Common Assessment Framework (CAF) assessment needs to have been completed before referral to CAMHS.
Please note that we have a legal requirement to monitor ethnicity as defined by the child or young person themselves or by a parent with legal parental responsibility in the case of a young child. This means that the ethnicity section on the referral form must be completed please.