- Overview
- Available Locations
- Contact us
- Young people
- Mental Health Crisis Cafes - young people
- Parents and carers
- Professionals
- CAMHS connect
- Useful resources
Type
CAMHS in the CommunityOur Child and Adolescence Mental Health service CAMHS are here to support children and young people up to the age of 18 in Northamptonshire. Experiencing difficulties with their emotional wellbeing and mental health difficulties. The team offer a range of interventions and therapies delivered individually or in groups, in partnership with families in a number of localities.
We offer:
- Mental health assessments or cognitive assessments
- Individual work with a range of professionals including psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, and psychotherapists
- CAMHS Live - helping you to access the mental health services you might need
- Consultation Line
- Children’s Response and Resolution Team
- Training for professionals.
Who is this service for? Children and young people up to the age of 18 and registered with a GP in Northamptonshire.
How to access this service:
We accept referrals from any professional background via our Referral Management Centre.
Young people and their families can also speak to a member of our team live and online for advice and guidance. To find our more information you can chat to a team member by accessing CAMHS Live.
Available Locations
Contact us
Live chat - Talk to us on CAMHS live 9am-7pm Monday - Friday.
Text a school nurse - for friendly, helpful advice. This service is designed for 11-19 year olds: 07507 329 600 Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm
Phone - the consultation line for parents, carers, young people and professionals is available 9am to 7pm, Monday to Friday on call 0800 170 7055.
If you are in a crisis, at risk of self-harm or suicide – the CAMHS crisis team is open 24/7 and can be accessed by calling 0800 170 7055.
Or:
- Text Shout to 85258 at any time day or night. You can find out more by accessing the Give a Shout website here.
- If your life is at imminent risk, call 999 for emergency help.
Young people
What does CAMHS do?
Our Child and Adolescence Mental Health service (CAMHS) are here to support children and young people up to the age of 18 in Northamptonshire, experiencing difficulties with their emotional wellbeing and mental health difficulties. The team offer a range of interventions and therapies delivered individually or in groups, in partnership with families in a number of localities.
We offer:
- Mental health assessments or cognitive assessments
- Individual work with a range of professionals including psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, and psychotherapists
- CAMHS Live - helping you to access the mental health services you might need
- Consultation Line
- Children’s Response and Resolution Team.
How do I sign up to CAMHS?
Any professional that is currently supporting you can make the referral for your emotional and mental health wellbeing. This could be your GP, school nurse, school teacher, social worker.
If you are over the age of 13, you can also speak to us directly about getting support through our online chat .
You can access the CAMHS Live online chat tool by clicking here.
What happens at my first appointment?
Here at CAMHS we understand it can feel really scary coming for your first appointment. It’s normal to feel anxious and not knowing what to expect, we are here to help and ease those feelings. You will be greeted by one our friendly receptionists and asked to wait in one of our waiting rooms. Occasionally you may have to wait so please make sure you log on to our Wi-Fi (NHFT-Guest) so you don’t use up your data.
What happens next
During your appointment we will talk to you, to understand your difficulties. This is your opportunity to share how you feel and see if anything you have tried before has helped. Your clinician may want to speak to you alone during your appointment, or your parent’s/carer. Your appointment will last approximately 90 minutes and by the end of the appointment, you and your clinician will decide if a CAMHS intervention is appropriate for you.
Helpful tips to think about:
What do I want to get from CAMHS, think about what you are currently experiencing difficulties with? What do you want to achieve? What do you want help with?
What happens after my first appointment?
You will receive a letter detailing the outcome of your initial appointment. Depending on the outcome, the letter will include information on what to do next. If a CAMHS intervention is required, you’ll be given information on how to access your next appointment.
In the meantime think about what you discussed in your meeting and any helpful tips or tools in managing your difficulties. Try putting them into practice.
‘It’s okay not to be okay and it’s absolutely okay to ask for help’
What support do you offer?
The team are made up of specialist mental health practitioners with a variety of backgrounds to support you and your family. They offer a variety of therapeutic interventions to give you the skills to manage your difficulties. It will be to suit your individual requirements. We want to give you the tools and techniques to find ways to help you understand your difficulties and give you positive strategies in managing those difficulties.
Here are some of the therapeutic interventions we offer within our service, which may include:
- Individual therapy
- Family therapy
- Therapeutic groups
- Psychiatry assessments
- Medication prescribing and reviewing.
You may also just come to CAMHS to see our medics.
We work in a multi-disciplinary team with a variety of professionals all trained in mental health interventions and are all here to help support you in your journey to recovery through CAMHS.
And don't forget...
Here at CAMHS we understand it can make you feel really anxious about coming in for your appointment. It is really common for you to feel this way. If these feelings are getting in the way of you attending, then we can arrange for you to speak with the team beforehand. Please discuss this with the secretary when calling to book.
Need to talk?
CAMHS live is an online chat service available Monday to Friday, 9am to 7pm. If you are a young person aged 13 and over you can use it to discuss any concerns or difficulties you may be having with your emotional wellbeing and mental health.
Or call the consultation line on 0800 170 7055. This service is available Monday to Friday between 9am to 7pm should you need to speak to someone.
What do others say about CAMHS?
Here is some feedback from other young people who have worked with our team:
‘Someone actually listened to how I was feeling and they didn't assume and they supported and explained to me how to help myself’
‘Fab course lots to take in’
‘Had a good laugh, thank you very much’
‘Everyone got to share their own ideas and feelings. Small group so not too intimidating’
‘This was an extremely useful thought provoking and surprisingly fun day! Thank you’
‘Very kind and informative. Really interesting and understanding’
‘I could relate to people and I now have coping mechanisms. Talking about certain topics - social media and school’
"Kind. Respected. Friendly."
"Understanding and commitment of the staff member to listen to our needs. Always thinking of new ways to help."
Moving on from CAMHS
Becoming an adult is a crucial stage of your social, personal and emotional development when we all need to pay close attention to your individual needs. This may also at this time when you move on from CAMHS.
Flexibility about the age at which you move to an appropriate adult service is based upon your individual needs. In some cases, completion of a current plan beyond your 18th birthday may prevent the need to move to an adult service.
For some young person who first have contact with CAMHS in the six months prior to their 18th birthday, and who are likely to require longer term support, you may begin seeing an adult service straight away.
Regardless of which service you are moving on to, that service should get to know you beforehand and a plan should be in place to ensure the move happens as seamlessly as possible.
The plans should be:
- In your best interests and involve shared decision making
- Undertaken collaboratively and in partnership with the service and yourself
- Planned, structured and timely
- Embedded in the involvement of all agencies and staff involved in your care
- Take into consideration the needs of carers.
If you have any questions or concerns please talk to a member of the CAMHS team.
Mental Health Crisis Cafes - young people
If you are struggling with your mental health or find yourself in a crisis then we are here to listen and support you.
Alongside our local partners (St Andrews Healthcare, Lowdown and YouthWorks), together we are offering weekly cafes for you to drop-in and talk to a mental health professional in a safe space. Our friendly staff will listen and help you by providing advice, support or signpost / refer you to the relevant team or organisation.
There is no need to call or book an appointment, please drop in to one of the locations and timings below – these will run every week starting from Monday 20 January 2020.*
- Northampton – every Monday, 4pm to 8pm: Café Track, 18 Market Square, Northampton, NN1 2DL. Tel: 07545 354265
- Kettering – every Thursday, 4pm to 8pm: Youth Works, Keystone, 97 Rockingham Road, Kettering, NN16 9HX. Tel: 01536 518339
The conversations that take place will be led by you and our staff will provide a listening ear. You can come along by yourself, with a friend or family member if you wish too – the idea is to create a safe space for you to feel comfortable in sharing how you feel.
Please note these crisis cafes are for anyone between the ages of 12 to 18 years, living in Northamptonshire and accept walk ins. The last walk in will be 7.30pm.
*If dates, times or locations change we will update the website as well as communicate this on our social media channels.
Parents and carers
If you are worried about a child in your care we would encourage you to speak to a professional that is involved with your child. This could be their teacher, school nurse or GP. They can then complete a referral into CAMHS should they need. The professionals involved will be able to offer you advice and show you what other services are available to help support you. If a referral is completed, it will then be screened by a clinician and you will be informed of the decision. If the referral is accepted into CAMHS then you will be invited to attend an appointment.
What happens at the first appointment?
The first appointment is for your child and you, lasting approximately 90 minutes. The purpose of this appointment is to explore the difficulties and to decide whether our service is best placed to meet the needs of your child. During the appointment, our clinician might find it useful to speak to your child alone. You may also wish to speak to us alone. If your child is under the age of 11, please bring another adult to the appointment to supervise your child in the waiting area, whilst you speak to us.
What happens after the first appointment?
Following the appointment, possible outcomes may include:
- Recommendation for individual or group therapy
- Information about other local and national services, which might be useful to your child and you
- Advice, information and discharge from our service.
You will receive a letter and plan in the post from the clinician detailing the outcome.
What if things change?
If things get better whilst waiting for an appointment and your child or you feel you no longer need the appointment, then please let our team know directly.
If things get worse then you can call the consultation line on 0800 170 7055.
This service is available Monday to Friday between 9am to 7pm for advice and guidance, this is not an emergency line.
Or talk to us online. You can access CAMHS Live here. (available for parents/carers and young people 13-18 years) 10-4pm Monday – Friday.
If you feel your child is in a crisis or needs urgent support, contact your GP, out of hours, call 111
If you think your child is at serious risk or they have seriously harmed themselves, then call 999 or go straight to your nearest A&E.
What services do you offer?
Our team provides a range of therapeutic interventions for children and young people with a complex mental health disorder that needs a specialist approach. Our aim is to help build capacity and resilience in emotional health and wellbeing.
We offer a consultation line that you can call for advice and guidance. This service is available Monday-Friday between 9-7pm (not available bank holidays) Call: 0800 170 7055.
We have our online chat service CAMHS LIVE; this is available for 13+ - 18 year olds to talk to a professional. It offers online information and advice about emotional wellbeing and mental health. You do not need to be open to CAMHS to use this service. This is also open to parents and carers for advice and support for their child. Available Monday-Friday 9-7pm (excluding bank holidays)
You are a vital part of your child’s journey to recovery. We actively encourage you to take an interest to build a better understanding of their difficulties. You are part of the solution and we will help you to build the tools to maintain the changes at home.
You can access CAMHS Live here
Parent/carer feedback:
- It helped me and my mum see from each other’s perspectives.
- Very understanding with the situation.
- My child was looked after brilliantly. He is able to cope a lot better with situations.
- Consistent sessions, excellent therapist. Learning huge amounts (both our child and us). Good communication
Looking after you
It is important to look after your own wellbeing and mental health. It can be really hard supporting your child with their mental health difficulties. Sometimes we need to deal with our own mental health to then help support your child. If you feel you need some help and support for your own mental health then please contact:
Changing minds IAPT works with individuals who are feeling stressed, low in mood or have mild to moderate depression and/or an anxiety disorder.
Mental health navigators, the service is delivered in partnership with mind and is designed to support people experiencing difficulties with their emotional wellbeing, living conditions and physical health.
Below are some links to free workshops and online learning to help and support you.
Professionals
For information on CAMHS Connect, including professional training on topics such as; Children development and mental health, Rethinking Challenging Behaviour or the other modules please click here.
Referrals can be made by any professional, working directly with the child / young person and their families who live in Northamptonshire, and who has concerns about emotional wellbeing or mental health.
It is essential referrals are given consent by either the person who holds parental responsibility and / or the young person where they have the capacity to consent.
The types of difficulties CAMHS can help with are:
- Low mood / depression
- Eating difficulties
- Attachment difficulties
- Obsessions and compulsions (OCD)
- Effects of abuse or trauma
- Conduct disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- More complex psychological difficulties
For any other NHFT children specialist services such as: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Eating disorders please use the find a service menu on the left of this page.
Referrals need to be made electrically via the Referral Management Centre which can be accessed by clicking here.
You can also complete the Children Young Person Referral Management Centre (CYPRMC) referral form on system one.
This referral will then be screened by a clinician, who will then inform you and the family of the referral decision that has been made.
Referral criteria for further assessment
- Registered with a GP in Northamptonshire
- Aged between 0-18 years
- Presenting with signs of or on-going concerns of mental health difficulties that are:
- Impacting on their developmental functioning
- Or is likely to result in significant risk to themselves or others
- And less intensive intervention hasn’t worked or is unlikely to suffice
- Consent has been obtained from the young person and or parent / carer
Contact information
To view the support and advice channels in place, please download Children and young people: emotional wellbeing support information[pdf] 273KB
If you are unsure or would like some advice or guidance you can call the consultation line on:
0800 170 7055
This service is available Monday to Friday between 9am to 7pm.
It is not an emergency line and not available on bank holidays.
You can also give this number to the young people and their family.
CAMHS Live is an online chat tool that is available to support 13 to 18 year olds and can be accessed by clicking here. They can also complete a facilitated referral through the consultation line.
Services and useful resources
Useful resources
Here you will find a list of resources that can be downloaded or can be accessed online.
You can speak to a CAMHS advisor live by accessing the CAMHS Live online chat tool by clicking here.
Headspace website and app
This website teaches young people about meditation and mindfulness. This can be a helpful coping skill if they feel overwhelmed or unable to control strong thoughts and feelings. Users can sign up for free and take part in guided meditation and mindfulness sessions.
Young Minds - parents helpline
This is a confidential service (unless the advisors think the young person is at risk) advisors are available from 9:30am – 4:00pm Monday to Friday. The advisor will listen and give some practical guidance on how to help, if you need further help they’ll refer you to one of our specialists whether it's a psychotherapist, psychiatrist, psychologist or mental health nurse. They’ll arrange a phone consultation within seven days.
Calm Harm website and app
This resource is designed to help young people resist the urge to self-harm. It is free and password protected.
HeadMeds website
This website helps to explain mental health medications without medical terms or jargon. It includes explanations of what the medication is used for, as well as explaining side effects.
AskNormen website
This website is for those interested mental health and emotional wellbeing of young people in Northamptonshire. It contains a search tool and links to a directory of services.
Beat. website
BEAT is the UK leading charity for supporting those with Eating Disorders. The website has lots of useful information about types of eating difficulties as well as support helplines.
Rethink website
Rethink is a mental health charity which provides advice and information and a list of available support in your area.
CAMHS connect
CAMHS Connect is part of the wider Core CAMHS in Northamptonshire. We offer a Consultation Line, a telephone service and CAMHS Live (an online chat service which offers advice and guidance for professionals and parents who have concerns about a young person’s emotional wellbeing or mental health).
You can access CAMHS Live online service by clicking here.
To view our full offer for CAMHS connect please review the information below.
You can also see the full offer for CAMHS connect by downloading: CAMHS connect poster - professionals.pdf [pdf] 785KB
Professional training dates
CAMHS Connect is developed core training sessions exploring issues relating to mental health.
To book onto a CAMHS Connect Professionals Training please email: CAMHSConnectTrainingandConsultation@nhft.nhs.uk
Child development and mental health
Aims to explore signs and symptoms of mental health concerns in the context of child development.
Dates to be confirmed.
Rethinking challenging behaviour
Aims to explore behaviour that challenges in young people, such as school avoidance and refusal.
Dates to be confirmed.
Consultation clinics
Clinicians from CAMHS Connect will be available for consultation on a regular basis in your area. If you are concerned about a young person and need some help and guidance, you may find it beneficial to sit down with us and explore what is going on for the young person and what might be helpful next steps. Consultations provide the opportunity to formulate about a young person’s social and emotional wellbeing, and discuss ideas for interventions and/or signposting to services that may help.
We aim to support you in thinking and linking about the young person and family, including considering the possible impact of adverse childhood experiences, trauma, environmental, attachment and emotional wellbeing and mental health difficulties.
All bookable slots run between the following times:
- Bookable slot one: 1.30pm to 2pm
- Bookable slot two: 2.15pm to 2.45pm
- Bookable slot three: 3pm to 4pm
Dates to be confirmed.
To book on to one of the professional training dates or on a consultation clinic please email: CAMHSConnectTrainingandConsultation@nhft.nhs.uk
Useful resources
Resources to support Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health for Young People - Coronvirus[pdf] 114KB
Resources - leaflets and posters
Children and young people: emotional wellbeing support information [pdf] 273KB
Resources - other organisations
Headspace website and app
This website teaches young people about meditation and mindfulness. This can be a helpful coping skill if they feel overwhelmed or unable to control strong thoughts and feelings. Users can sign up for free and take part in guided meditation and mindfulness sessions.
Young Minds - parents helpline
This is a confidential service (unless the advisors think the young person is at risk) advisors are available from 9:30am – 4:00pm Monday to Friday. The advisor will listen and give some practical guidance on how to help, if you need further help they’ll refer you to one of our specialists whether it's a psychotherapist, psychiatrist, psychologist or mental health nurse. They’ll arrange a phone consultation within seven days.
Calm Harm website and app
This resource is designed to help young people resist the urge to self-harm. It is free and password protected.
HeadMeds website
This website helps to explain mental health medications without medical terms or jargon. It includes explanations of what the medication is used for, as well as explaining side effects.
AskNormen website
This website is for those interested mental health and emotional wellbeing of young people in Northamptonshire. It contains a search tool and links to a directory of services.
Beat. website
BEAT is the UK leading charity for supporting those with Eating Disorders. The website has lots of useful information about types of eating difficulties as well as support helplines.
Rethink website
Rethink is a mental health charity which provides advice and information and a list of available support in your area.