The document discusses the implementation of a Single Point of Access (SPA) for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in Birmingham. It notes that previously, access to CAMHS was described as fragmented and confusing. The SPA aims to create a simple, understandable, and coordinated referral system for CAMHS. Key elements include a centralized referral process, a clinician to screen referrals and provide advice, and improved information about CAMHS for referrers. The document outlines the objectives, implementation process, ongoing challenges of the SPA system.

1. Single Point of Access - Improving Access to CAMHS A Principles (2) A brighter future for children and young people and their families

2. Improving Access - National / Policy History in Birmingham Objectives Task and Finish Group Implementation Ongoing Challenges A Principles (2) A brighter future for children and young people and their families Overview

3. Users described services as fragmented and confusing, these views were largely shared by referring agencies. One community group described services as a ‘merry-go-round’, adding that it was not very merry for families to be on it. Referring agencies, some of which are in the front line of service provision for distressed families, admitted they did not have a map of available services, nor a key to enable access. Some knew of a number of different services but did not know about referral pathways or eligibility criteria. Young Minds 2004 A Principles (2) A brighter future for children and young people and their families

4. Concerns raised regarding access A Principles (2) A brighter future for children and young people and their families Problems of ‘gatekeepers’ Lack of information regarding services Lack of mental health expertise Maze of priorities – creating barriers to access Avoidable delays

5. Concerns of CAMHS A Principles (2) A brighter future for children and young people and their families Quality of information- quality of decision making Multiple referrals Use of gatekeepers Inappropriate referrals

6. Improving Access - National and Local Policy A Principles (2) A brighter future for children and young people and their families HAS 1995 – Together We Stand – Problems in the availability and accessibility of CAMHS Audit Commission 1999 – Gaining access to CAMHS should be improved - Each CAMHS needs to think carefully about how it sets its entrance requirements NHS Plan 2002 – importance of access and choice NSF 2004 – children and young people and their carers want to be able to access services easily

7. Local Initiatives A Principles (2) A brighter future for children and young people and their families Children’s Forum - Getting it right for children - Small Health Pilot Birmingham CAMHS Strategy 2000 – Single Point of Entry Young Minds Review – the need for improved access and better care pathways

8. Objectives – user perspective A Principles (2) A brighter future for children and young people and their families A simple system of contact – understandable to everyone Consumer friendly – early contact with CAMHS An open system for all primary care staff to make referrals or to access advice. An understandable and accountable system for the prioritisation of referrals based on mental health risk. Easily accessible information regarding the nature of specialist child mental health services and the services provided. An integrated system of allocation of referrals within CAMHS.

9. Objectives – CAMHS perspective A Principles (2) A brighter future for children and young people and their families Provides higher quality information at time of referral Reduces risk at the time of entry Prevents duplication of referral Prevents inappropriate referrals Is a better ‘welcome’ to CAMHS Looks to encourage different relationship with referrer

10. Work Programme A Principles (2) A brighter future for children and young people and their families Time limited Task and Finish working group – concentrating on the detail of the SPA Process of consultation – internal and external Completion of a Final Report (June 2005) Implementation Group Start of SPA

11. Core elements of SPA A Principles (2) A brighter future for children and young people and their families 1) Referral form 2) Administration Maintaining databases, Checking area, age etc 3) Clinician on duty Advice line, Screening referrals, Assessing mental health risk, Signposting where appropriate Signposting Panel – for cases where there is uncertainty Communication with referrer and family

12. Implementation A Principles (2) A brighter future for children and young people and their families Training for staff Working through practice issues e.g. consent, confidentiality, record keeping Pragmatic / practical details - Identifying database to use, rota systems, where it should be based Improving CAMHS information for referrers / families Collecting information about other services Discussing changes with referrers Establishing monitoring and review process

13. Ongoing Challenges A Principles (2) A brighter future for children and young people and their families Substantial change to practise within CAMHS (and outside) Integration of information systems Responding to changes in demand – impact on prioritisation Working with referrers expectation More open dialogue regarding relationship between CAMHS and other specialist services

14. Finally … A Principles (2) A brighter future for children and young people and their families SPA is not the solution to all access problems to CAMHS it can only work with collaboration and understanding between all parties There are other CAMHS initiatives which have been commissioned alongside the Single Point of Access to support early intervention at a local level and to feed into the extended schools agenda Will expose and record areas of significant difficulty – the children that many services do not want to see Part of a longer journey to modernise CAMHS provision Going live ……………………..

15. Tomorrow – 30 th September 2005 A Principles (2) A brighter future for children and young people and their families