Our NHS CAMHS services operate through a Single Point of Access (SPA). The SPA is a one-stop central point for triaging all new CAMHS referrals. A team made by multiple CAMHS clinicians works to identify which form of support is best placed to meet the individual needs of each child or young person, and which service might be able to offer such support. These might can be one of our CAMHS NHS services, one of our local community organisations or might involve signposting to online support or advice.
The Single Point of Access operates Monday to Friday during office hours (9:00 – 16:30).
Referrals are triaged daily and decisions about allocations aim to take no longer than 5 working days. Please note this timeframe will not apply where further investigations/screening is required (e.g. Neurodevelopmental assessments).
In order for referrals to be triaged effectively and decisions made about what the most appropriate service is for that young person/family, referral forms will need to include all relevant key information. If referrals are not fully completed, they will be returned to the referrer asking to complete all necessary information.
Any professional who knows the child, young person and family can make a referral using the City and Hackney Single Point of Access Referral Form.
Once completed, email the referral form to huh-tr.camhs-spa@nhs.net. Consent from parents or carers must be given before making a referral to CAMHS, unless under specific circumstances (e.g. young person with Gallick competence).
Professionals can also contact the Single Point of Access for consultation before making a referral by calling 020 7014 7079 Monday to Friday from 9:30am to 3:00pm.
Self-referrals are currently only accepted by families and young people who have been discharged from any of our CAMHS service in the last 12 months.
If you have any safeguarding or well-being concerns about a child or young person who lives in Hackney and is aged under 18, you should contact Hackney MASH (Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub) Children’s and Families Service. They can advise you or you can make a request for support for us to review or investigate.
Phone: 020 8356 5500
Email: MASH@hackney.gov.uk
Out of Hours Phone line: 020 8356 2710
Website: https://hackney.gov.uk/child-protection
If you feel a child is at immediate risk of harm, it is important to consider whether you need to call the Police on 999 to report your concerns, so that they can take immediate action to keep a child safe where needed.