Wirral Children and Young People's Mental Health Service (CYPMHS)

Wirral 0-18 Children and Young People's Mental Health Service (CYPMHS) - formerly known as CAMHS - is a community-based specialist service providing mental health assessments and evidence based psychological treatments for children and young people with moderate to severe mental health difficulties, which is where mental health difficulties are having a significant impact on day-to-day functioning in more than one area of their lives. 

Our aim is to provide a service that works in partnership with families/carers, is person and family centred and is focused on the needs of the child/young person. 

Who is the service for?

We offer assessments and evidence-based treatment pathways based on goals identified by the young person and their family, adopting a multi-agency approach for children and young people. 

The work is time limited, focusing on treatments which build skills, knowledge and understanding to empower young people and their families to self-manage mental health issues in the future. 

* For young people with difficulties that may be linked to autism, ADHD, conduct disorder or oppositional defiant disorder we only offer assessment and interventions where there are co-morbid moderate to severe mental health difficulties as described above.

We do not offer treatment or other assessments for autism, ADHD, conduct disorder or oppositional defiant disorder where there are no co-morbid mental health difficulties and will signpost for assessment to local pathways or support to other agencies. However, young people with autism, ADHD, conduct disorder or oppositional defiant disorder will be offered treatment for additional moderate/severe mental health problems.

How to access the service

All referrals should come through the Request for Help form.

Please included as much information on the young person’s current presentation as possible as limited information may delay processing the referral. Referrals are accepted from anyone as long as informed consent and agreement has been gained from the family and the young person.

What will happen at your first appointment?

Typically, your first appointment will be on the telephone with your allocated practitioner. You will receive a letter before the appointment containing the time, date and name of the practitioner as well as a contract of expectation for you to read and sign (this will be returned to the practitioner at your first face to face appointment). 

If you and your child/young person are not available at this time, please call the service and request an alternative date; you risk being discharged from the service if you do not answer the call from the practitioner.

During your call the practitioner will confirm basic contact information, clarify any information gathered in your first ‘choice’ appointment and ask both you and your child/young person for an update on mental health difficulties, symptoms and other areas of concern. They may also ask you to think about what your main mental health goal for the work may be e.g. reduced anxiety or improved mood. 

Usually, your practitioner will then offer you a further 4 appointments which will be face to face within our main office, however alternative arrangements may be offered to meet the specific needs of your child/young person based on the information shared.  
The following 4 sessions will be used to gain a good understanding of the young persons needs and if indicated choose the most suitable evidenced based intervention to meet the young person, as well as at times, the whole family’s needs.
 A review will be held towards the end of this element of the intervention to share understanding, discuss next steps, and explore if further evidenced based intervention is required.

Where are we based?

We have created a video of a walk through our main office so parents/carers, children and young people can see what it looks like before they arrive (link here).

There is a large visitors car park behind the building which allows 3 hours parking. There is also parking for disabled drivers in front of the building or in the smaller car park opposite. Please display a disabled badge to avoid ticketing.

We also sometimes hold appointments in our Pensby Clinic for specific therapies.