What to Do if Your Child is Rejected by CAMHS

Being told that your child does not meet the threshold for CAMHS support is one of the most difficult and frustrating experiences a parent can face, particularly after a long wait. If this has happened to you, it is important to know that you are not alone, that this outcome is more common than many people realise, and that there are steps you can take.

Why Does CAMHS Reject Referrals?

CAMHS services operate within strict eligibility criteria, and the threshold for receiving support varies between different services and regions. A referral may be declined or a young person may be assessed and then told that CAMHS cannot help for several reasons.

Their needs may not meet the threshold for the level of support CAMHS provides. CAMHS is designed to support young people with moderate to severe mental health difficulties, and those whose needs are considered mild or moderate may be told that a different service is more appropriate.

The young person may be directed to a different service, such as a school-based counselling service, a voluntary sector organisation, or a specialist team within the NHS. This is not necessarily a negative outcome, but it can feel confusing and disheartening when you were expecting CAMHS to take on your child's care.



In some cases, a young person may be assessed and found not to meet the diagnostic criteria for any condition that CAMHS treats. This can be particularly difficult for parents who can clearly see that their child is struggling, even if that struggle does not fit neatly into a clinical category.

What Can You Do?

Ask for a clear explanation

If your child's referral has been declined or they have been discharged following assessment, you are entitled to ask for a clear explanation of why and what alternatives are being recommended. Ask this in writing so you have a record.

Ask about the appeals process

Most CAMHS services have a formal process for challenging a decision. If you believe the decision was wrong or that your child's needs were not properly assessed, you have the right to appeal. Your GP can support you with this.

Go back to your GP

Your GP is your primary advocate within the NHS system. If CAMHS has declined the referral or discharged your child, go back to your GP to discuss what other options are available. They may be able to refer to a different service, refer back to CAMHS with additional information, or escalate the case.

Contact your local PALS

Consider private therapy

The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) can provide advice and support to parents navigating the NHS system. They can help you understand your rights and support you in raising concerns or making a complaint.

For many families in this situation, private therapy is the most direct route to getting their child the support they need. A good private therapist who specialises in children and young people can begin working with your child quickly, without waiting lists or eligibility thresholds. If your child has been through a CAMHS assessment, you will have a clearer picture of their needs, which can help inform the conversation with a private therapist.

What Happens at the End of the Wait?

For many families in this situation, private therapy is the most direct route to getting their child the support they need. A good private therapist who specialises in children and young people can begin working with your child quickly, without waiting lists or eligibility thresholds. If your child has been through a CAMHS assessment, you will have a clearer picture of their needs, which can help inform the conversation with a private therapist.

A Note on the System

It is worth saying clearly: if your child has been rejected by CAMHS, it does not mean they do not need help. It means that CAMHS, as a service under significant pressure, was unable to provide it. The eligibility criteria used by CAMHS are not a measure of your child's needs or your validity as a parent seeking support. They are a reflection of a system that does not have the capacity to meet the level of demand placed on it.

How Sulis Therapies Can Help

At Sulis Therapies, we regularly work with young people who have been through the CAMHS process and have either been rejected or have been waiting so long that they need support in the meantime. We offer specialist private CBT and EMDR therapy for children and young people up to the age of 26, delivered online across the UK. We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your child's needs and find out how we can help.