Service detail

We are a regional multidisciplinary forensic child and adolescent mental health team. Our service is available to young people, under the age of 18 years, whereby there is a concern about their mental health (this may include neurodevelopmental disorder and/or learning disability), they present with high risk of harm towards others and about whom there is major family or professional concern or they may be in contact with the criminal justice system or are likely to enter secure care. The referral criteria are deliberately broad and allow contact with the team in relation to the child and adolescents about whom there are questions regarding mental health or neuro disability who:

•Are under the age of 18 years at the time of referral (There is no lower age threshold for access to the service) •Present with severe disorders or conduct and emotion, neuropsychological deficits or serious mental health problems with/without learning difficulties or where there are legitimate concerns about the existence of such disorders. •Are involved in dangerous, high risk behaviours whether there are in contact with the youth justice system or not. This will include young people. who present a high risk to others through such behaviours as fire setting, physical assault and sexual offending •In exceptional cases, are not high risk (not primarily dangerous to others) but have highly complex needs (including legal complexities, particularly with the criminal justice system) and are causing major concern across agencies. We provide advice and consultation. In some cases, we provide multi-agency liaison, assessment, where indicated. We also help to support transitions in and out of secure care. In the event that we need to undertake a direct assessment of a child, we will travel to assess the child in their own locality. What a professional can expect from FCAMHS •You should receive a call back from us within 5 working days •The FCAMHS clinician will explore your concerns and your reasons for referral. It may be that the FCAMHS clinician can give you advice/ recommendations at this point. This might be followed by a formal consultation. •Sometimes, the initial phone call back from FCAMHS will act as a formal consultation. If not, and one is indicated, the FCAMHS will act as a formal consultation. If not and one is indicated, the FCAMHS clinician will arrange a time and date to complete one with you. Consultations can take place via phone, skype or face-to-face. •Well support you to find the right agencies to help •If there are a number of agencies working with a young person, it may be appropriate to arrange a multi-agency consultation.

You will receive a written summary of the consultation and recommendations. A copy of this will be sent to the childs GP. •In some cases, FCAMHS will become directly involved with the young person. This means undertaking a specialist assessment and/ or agreeing an approach to intervention. This will be determined by the consultation process.