Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)

CAMHS are a specialist NHS children’s and young people’s mental health service that provide consultation support and training for professionals. The team also undertakes some direct case work with children, young people and their families.

Consultation Routes

There are three ways professionals can get advice to support their work with children and families with emotional, behavioural and mental health needs. This will help determine the right level of support needed.

• CAMHS Primary Mental Health Work service
• Children and young people planning forum
• CAMHS consultation line

Any school with concerns about a child’s emotional wellbeing can also contact West Sussex County Council’s Your Space counselling and play therapy service. This provides free support and consultation for teaching staff.

Who to contact:

West Sussex Single Point of Access (SPoA) –  

Anyone can refer to the West Sussex SPoA – children, young people, parents, carers, families, GPs and other professionals.

For professionals in a school where Thought-Full (MHST) is available should consult with the schools Senior Mental Health Lead to consider Thought-Full in the first instance.

CAMHS Worthing: 01903 286 754

CAMHS Chichester: 01243 813405

CAMHS Horsham: 0300 3040021

Community Mental Health Service

The Community Mental Health Liaison Service (CMHL) is to provide an early intervention and prevention service for professionals in contact with children and young people under the age of 18 who are experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties. The service is predominantly delivered through a consultation model to professionals. A consultation provides professionals with access to a trained mental health practitioner who can offer advice and support where there are concerns about a young person’s mental health. This service is for professionals only such as GPs, teachers, youth workers etc. Following on from a consultation between a professional and a practitioner, this service can also offer some direct work including enhanced consultation and therapeutic interventions, with a focus on the under 12 age group and older vulnerable groups of young people.

The team consists of qualified Mental Health Practitioners, Support Workers and Assistant Psychologists and operates Monday-Friday 9-5 with a dedicated Access Point telephone line available Monday-Friday 12-5pm.. There is also a dedicated Community Mental Health Liaison Practitioner for the 11 maintained special schools in West Sussex who will work alongside them to meet the needs of this specialist group of young people. You can find further information on the Community Mental Health Liaison Service here.

Additional Contacts:

Integrated Front Door (IFD) Portal – 01403 229900

Email: spnt.cmhlserviceaccesspoint@nhs.net