Milton Keynes CAMHS

• Significant behaviour problems
• Depression
• Self-harm
• Anxiety disorders (including phobias)
• Obsession/compulsion
• Tic disorders
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Eating disorders
• Family relationship problems
• Trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Psychosis

• Art therapist
• Family support workers
• Family therapists
• Primary mental health workers
• Community psychiatric nurses
• Psychiatrists
• Psychologists
• Psychotherapists
• Social worker

Milton Keynes CAMHS provides support to children and young people up to the age of 18, their parents/carers and their families who:

• Are a resident of Milton Keynes or are registered with a Milton Keynes general practitioner (GP).
• Are causing a high level of concern to adults around them due to significant change in the child’s/ young person’s mood or behaviour.

Professionals can make referrals to the Single Point of Access by filling out the referral note for referrers. This includes healthcare professionals, school staff, GPs and social workers. We also accept referrals directly from young people who can self-refer to the Single Point of Access providing you live in the catchment area - the telephone number and contact details are at the top of the page. Unfortunately we cannot accept referrals from parents or carers. 

The Single Point of Access will offer a dedicated referral phone service. A CAMHS Mental Health Practitioner will be available to discuss and complete referrals, review risk and provide information, including signposting where needed.

All new referrals are discussed within regular team meetings and once a referral has been accepted the team can usually see them as soon as they can. More urgent referrals will be prioritised, so new referrals may be placed on a waiting list (not exceeding 18 weeks).

Families will be allocated to the most appropriate professional based on the information presented. Sometimes more than one professional may become involved. Any intervention offered will be discussed with you and your child/young person. 

The Single Point of Access is not an emergency service. If a child or young person is experiencing a crisis that requires an emergency response, the current pathway for accessing CAMHS has not changed. The CAMHS Liaison and Intensive Support Team (LIST) operate out of the Milton Keynes University Hospital 24/7 365 days a year and can be accessed via the A&E department.

When your referral has been accepted you will receive a letter from the team with your appointment details. During your first appointment, we will listen to your concerns so we can work together to overcome any difficulties. We may do this by seeing you and your child together or individually, by working with other people involved such as health, education or social care and by providing information about other services available.

Interventions and treatment plans may include:

• Behavioural therapies
• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
• Family therapy
• Group work
• Psychotherapy
• Medication
• Parent support and training
• Projective therapies
• Solution-focused brief therapy

Your appointment may take place at one of the following settings:

• You may be seen at the Eaglestone Health Centre or within the community (e.g. health centre, school or at your home) depending upon the situation.
• If a home visit is suggested by the team but you do not feel this is appropriate we will seek to offer an alternative venue within the community.
• There may also be the opportunity for you to discuss your concerns with one of our family support workers at a community drop-in, they will be able to give you some practical advice and strategies with regard to your child. 
• A CAMHS worker will also be providing a service in secondary schools in Milton Keynes where concerns have been raised about a young person by their parents/carers or the school staff.

Unfortunately, many appointments are not kept, therefore we are not able to offer a further appointment if the initial one is missed and we have received no contact from you regarding the reason for not attending. For this reason we also consider whether to offer further appointments if there are two consecutive cancellations.

The service is available Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.