Our health visitor has referred my grandson to "CAMS". I found out from our support worker that it is Child and Adolescent Mental Health. I should point out that I have full time care of him (and his sis) as his parents cannot meet their needs. I have one or two worries and dont mind him seeing a child psychologist if this is what is involved.

Can you tell me what to expect in terms of assessments as the health visitor hasnt been back to see us and hasnt got back to me.

Hi please try not to worry. Camhs are really good at what they do and will do everything they can to help you and you're grandson. Take a look on this link which explains the services they offer families and maybe you could give them a ring to ease you're mind?

http://www.sheffieldchildrens.nhs.uk/services/2-5.php

Good luck xxx

Thank you Sam. I didnt know it was CAMHS with a H! I havent any details yet so I dont know which service we will be accessing. I heard in a round about way through our support worker. The link was useful. I suppose we will wait for a letter.

My son has been under CAHMS. They deal with alsorts of issues to do with children including (but not restricted to) ADHD, OCD, Eating disorders, anxieties, behavioural issues etc.

I have found them very easy to get on with and fel they can provide a good service.

My son has been under CAHMS. They deal with alsorts of issues to do with children including (but not restricted to) ADHD, OCD, Eating disorders, anxieties, behavioural issues etc.

I have found them very easy to get on with and fel they can provide a good service.
Totally agree nice friendly relaxed atmosphere

Just another question on this. Its my health visitor who is doing the referral. We agreed to do it after Christmas, and today she rang me and asked me to come in to see her next Tuesday about the referral form for Creswick Street Nursery. I was half asleep at the time (both kids have sleep probs at the moment) and just thought she had said CAMHS as thats what I expected her to say. Then having put the phone down I mentally went over the conversation and realised she had said Creswick Street Nursery. (Which I know to be in Hillsborough). Is this connected with CAMHS? Is this where they assess the children? Have I misunderstood do you think?

Do your grandchildren attend Creswick Street Nursery? If not, maybe the health visitor has applied for a place on your behalf to give you a bit of a break. If this is the case I would grab it with both hands. Both my children went to Creswick Street and it is a fantastic place that I would reccommend highly. The nursery is just above the Langsett Primrose Hill tram stop, just at the top of the short hill next to St Bart's church.

As far as I am aware they don't assess kids at Creswick Street unless they actually go there.

Good luck :thumbsup:

I work in CAMHS.

There are four main community CAMHS teams in Sheffield based in what were the four Primary Care Trusts. The North team is based at Centenary House on the site of the old Royal Infirmary on Langsett Road, as is the West team. The South East team is based at Beighton Hospital, and the South West team is at Flockton House on the site of the old Nether Edge Hospital. I don't think it would be a good idea to say which team I work in.

There are several disciplines that work in CAMHS: psychiatrists, psychologists, mental health nurses, family therapists, art therapists and social workers. An initial assessment will last about 1 -2 hours, and you will be asked about the problem that prompted your referral, what you have done to try and improve the situation, what worked, what didn't, etc. You will also be asked a bit about your family background and situation, as this is usually highly relevant to the problems that people bring to CAMHS. You will be asked about the child's early years and development too.

Because child mental health depends on so many factors and there are different services and agencies involved in helping children, CAMHS try to talk to schools, health visitors, GPs, school nurses etc about the children referred to them so that everyone pulls in the same direction to help the child and family. You'll most likely be asked for consent to contact these other people.

As part of your assessment your CAMHS worker should ask you what you would find helpful. At the end of your assessment, he or she will draw up a plan of how your problem(s) should be addressed. This might involve further appointments with a CAMHS professional, or it might mean referral to a more appropriate part of the Health Service. Quite often, after an hour and a half thinking through their problems with some help, families decide that they don't need any more professional help, and do it themselves!

Hope this is helpful. If you would like further info, please PM me.

Do your grandchildren attend Creswick Street Nursery? If not, maybe the health visitor has applied for a place on your behalf to give you a bit of a break. If this is the case I would grab it with both hands. Both my children went to Creswick Street and it is a fantastic place that I would reccommend highly. The nursery is just above the Langsett Primrose Hill tram stop, just at the top of the short hill next to St Bart's church.

As far as I am aware they don't assess kids at Creswick Street unless they actually go there.

Good luck :thumbsup:

No they both go to a private nursery near where we live which I pay for out of my own pocket. The eldest gets a nursery grant place and the youngest goes for 2 afternoons to give me a break. Perhaps she is doing as you say - I wouldnt turn it down! I better not get too hopeful, like I said one of us might have got our wires crossed. However, someone in my grandparents group had her grandson go there to give her a break, so you never know. Im so exhausted with lack of sleep and everything else that I wouldnt turn anything down!

Well good luck and please let us know how you get on :thumbsup:

I rang my HV today. She is doing a referral to Creswick Street as a bit of respite, but cant guarantee anything. I have got to see her to help fill in the very long form. It has nothing to do with the referall to CAMHS - clarified that.

Thanks!

I'm glad you got it all sorted. Lets hope it's a good outcome as Creswick Street is an excellent nursery with wonderful staff. :thumbsup: