Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) Survey Report

This report presents the findings of a Healthwatch Worcestershire survey into the experiences of children, young people, parents, and carers using Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). The work was carried out in response to concerns about increasing demand for mental health support, long waiting times, and difficulties accessing services. Healthwatch sought feedback to inform Worcestershire’s Transformation Plan for Children and Young People’s Mental Health and Wellbeing. 

Healthwatch received 94 survey responses between July and December 2015, including feedback from 29 young people and 65 parents or carers. The survey focused on experiences of accessing CAMHS, waiting times, quality of support, and overall satisfaction.

The findings showed that many people experienced difficulties accessing support. Among those who had not received the help they felt was needed, 46% said they had been referred but did not meet the criteria for the service, while 33% were still waiting for support following referral. Smaller numbers said they did not know how to obtain a referral or that a referral had not been made because they did not meet eligibility requirements. 

Waiting times emerged as one of the most significant concerns. More than half of respondents who had been referred to CAMHS were unhappy with the time they had waited for support, with 34% reporting they were "very unhappy" and 19% "unhappy" about waiting times. Healthwatch noted wider concerns about some young people waiting more than 20 weeks between their initial assessment and follow-up appointments.

Despite concerns about access and delays, many respondents reported positive experiences once they received support. Over half (56%) rated the support they received as good, while 59% felt that they had been listened to and had their concerns taken seriously. Two-thirds felt they had been treated with respect, and most respondents described staff as kind and compassionate. 

The survey gathered 67 detailed written comments. Positive feedback highlighted the professionalism of staff, the quality of care provided, supportive relationships with families, and the positive impact CAMHS had made on young people’s wellbeing.

However, most written comments focused on areas needing improvement. Respondents described long delays in receiving support, difficulties obtaining diagnoses, and a lack of help for young people experiencing self-harm, suicidal thoughts, or emerging mental health problems. Some families felt children were only able to access specialist support once problems had reached crisis point. 

Concerns were also raised about staffing levels and continuity of care. Families reported changes in staff, cancelled appointments, poor communication, and insufficient availability of appointments. Some felt they had to repeatedly fight for support or advocate strongly for their children before receiving appropriate help. 

A recurring issue was the suitability of support provided. Some respondents felt CAMHS did not have sufficient expertise in autism spectrum disorders, Asperger syndrome, and related conditions. Others reported being offered group-based support when they felt one-to-one intervention was needed. Several families felt their concerns had been dismissed or that their children had not been adequately understood. 

The report also identified concerns about communication and joint working. Some respondents felt that schools did not always follow CAMHS advice, while others reported poor communication between CAMHS and other professionals involved in supporting children and young people. 

Engagement with Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities found that awareness of CAMHS was generally low. Families reported language barriers, cultural stigma around mental health, and difficulties understanding available services and referral processes. Some participants felt that using family members as interpreters could lead to misunderstandings and incomplete communication.

Additional feedback from young people highlighted concerns about transitions from CAMHS to adult mental health services. Some young people experienced significant delays or loss of support after turning 18, while others described feelings of isolation after discharge from services or after long periods in hospital. 

Overall, Healthwatch Worcestershire concluded that while many young people and families valued the support they received from CAMHS, substantial improvements were needed. Key recommendations included reducing waiting times, ensuring young people receive support before reaching crisis point, improving staff capacity and continuity, strengthening support for young people with autism and related conditions, improving communication between CAMHS, schools and other agencies, supporting smoother transitions to adult services, and increasing awareness and accessibility of services within minority ethnic communities.