Sandwell CAMHS
Sandwell CAMHS
The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) in Sandwell is provided by the Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
CAMHS is a specialist service designed to assess and treat children and young people with complex, severe, or enduring emotional and mental health problems. You can download CAMHS useful information here
Here are the key things parents and professionals need to know about CAMHS in Sandwell:
Who the Service is For
Age Range: Children and young people up to 18 years old (or 0–18).
Location: The young person must be registered with a Sandwell GP.
Focus: The service handles severe mental health difficulties, such as psychosis, eating disorders, complex anxiety/depression, and acute mental health crises.
How to Access CAMHS
CAMHS is a specialist service and usually requires a professional referral.
Single Point of Access (SPA): Sandwell uses a Single Point of Access (SPA) to streamline referrals and ensure young people get directed to the most appropriate service.
Who Can Refer
Referrals must come from a professional who knows the child best. This often includes:
- GPs
- School staff (teachers, school nurses)
- Social Workers
- Health Visitors
SPA Contact: The Single Point of Access for Sandwell CAMHS can be reached during core working hours. (Note: Please always verify numbers on the official NHS website for crisis situations.)
Crisis Support
If a child or young person is experiencing an acute mental health crisis and requires immediate support, the CAMHS Crisis Intervention and Home Treatment Team operates services seven days a week.
What Sandwell CAMHS Offers
The Sandwell Specialist CAMHS team is multidisciplinary, meaning it includes staff from various backgrounds (psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, family therapists, etc.) to offer a range of support, including:
- Evidence-based talking therapies (group and individual).
- Family therapy.
- Support with medication when appropriate.
For immediate support or to discuss a concern, the Family Hubs can provide signposting and support to help families navigate the referral process.