What Happens After Your Child is Referred to CAMHS?

If your child has just been referred to CAMHS, you may be feeling a mixture of relief that something is being done and uncertainty about what comes next. The referral process can feel opaque, and many parents find themselves unsure of what to expect or how long things will take.

This post aims to give you a clear picture of what happens after a CAMHS referral and how to navigate the process.

What is a CAMHS Referral?

A CAMHS referral is a formal request for your child to be assessed and potentially treated by Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. Referrals can come from a number of sources, including your child's GP, their school, a paediatrician, or another healthcare professional. In some areas it is also possible for parents to self-refer directly to CAMHS, though this varies by region.



The referral will include information about your child's difficulties and why the referring professional feels CAMHS involvement is appropriate. It is worth asking the person making the referral what information they are including, as this can affect how the referral is triaged.

What Happens After the Referral is Made?

Once the referral has been received by CAMHS, it will be reviewed by a clinician who will assess whether it meets the threshold for CAMHS involvement. This is known as triage. Not all referrals are accepted. If CAMHS determines that your child's needs do not meet their threshold, the referral may be declined and you will be informed of this, usually with a suggestion of alternative support.

If the referral is accepted, your child will be added to the waiting list for an assessment appointment. You should receive confirmation of this in writing, though the level of communication varies between different CAMHS services.

How Long Will You Wait?

As we covered in our post on CAMHS waiting times, the wait for a first appointment can be significant. Routine referrals in many parts of the UK involve waits of twelve months or more, and in some areas considerably longer. The wait for an assessment does not mean the wait for treatment. Once assessed, there may be a further wait before treatment begins.

What Can You Do While You Wait?

While you are waiting, there are several things worth doing to support your child. Talk to your GP if the situation changes, engage your child's school's pastoral support, and consider whether private therapy might be an option. We cover this in more detail in our post on CAMHS waiting times.

Will Private Therapy Affect the CAMHS Referral?

This is a question many parents have, and the answer is no. Accessing private therapy while waiting for CAMHS does not affect your child's position on the waiting list or their eligibility for CAMHS support. The two are entirely separate, and many young people receive private therapy while simultaneously waiting for or receiving CAMHS support.

At Sulis Therapies

At Sulis Therapies, we work with many young people who are currently on a CAMHS waiting list. 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 typically have availability within a matter of weeks, and offer a free initial consultation to discuss your child's needs and find out how we can help.