Child and Adolescent Mental Health Experiences Report
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Healthwatch Barnsley evaluates children and young people’s access to and experiences of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in Barnsley. Healthwatch Barnsley gathered evidence between 2014 and 2015 through community engagement, surveys, and outreach with young people, parents, and carers.
Healthwatch initially found consistent concerns about long waiting times and difficulty accessing CAMHS. A review by local commissioners confirmed that demand for CAMHS was high and increasing, that waiting times were unacceptably long, and that some young people were referred to CAMHS when other services may have been more appropriate.
A survey of 341 young people showed that most had experienced stress, often linked to school, family relationships, and self-image. While many said they would talk to friends or family if struggling, a significant number did not know what support services were available or how to access them. This highlighted a lack of awareness and communication about mental health services.
Healthwatch surveyed 54 parents and carers who were accessing CAMHS.
- Most families (64%) were pleased with the care received once engaged with the service.
- However, many reported long waiting times before the first appointment, which negatively affected perceptions.
- A minority (13%) were dissatisfied, often due to delays in diagnosis, repeated assessments, and slow progress.
Families reported mixed outcomes: just over half had received or were close to receiving a diagnosis, while others were still waiting. [
Support for parents was inconsistent. Around half said support was good, but many reported limited help between appointments and difficulty accessing advice when needed. Most parents had not been offered additional support during waiting periods, and many wanted more guidance, information, and coping strategies.
Although many families knew where to find basic information, most were not given helpful resources during waiting times. There was also limited awareness or use of online information. Families wanted clearer communication, practical advice, and better coordination with schools and other services.