About Us
What is CAMHS?
Grampian CAMHS is a specialist mental health service based in Aberdeen and Elgin for children and young people from birth to 18 years of age who are experiencing persistent, complex, or severe emotional, behavioural, or mental health difficulties; and their family / carers / system around them. These challenges may significantly affect everyday life, including relationships, education, and overall wellbeing.
NHS Grampian CAMHS follows the national Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Specification.
Our goal is to understand what you’re going through and how it’s impacting you. We work with you to identify the most helpful support, whether that’s therapy, treatment (including medication), or other resources. We are committed to providing high-quality, person-centred care in a safe and respectful environment where you feel heard and supported.
Our Aim
At Grampian CAMHS, we aim to understand the problems you are experiencing and how they affect your life. We offer evidence-based therapies and treatments that are designed to make a positive impact. We are committed to listening to you in an open, safe space and delivering care that is tailored to your individual needs, preferences, and goals.
What CAMHS Offers
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) provide specialist interventions for children and young people experiencing significant mental health problems . Our services include:
- Assessment and Treatment for a wide range of mental health difficulties.
- Complex Neurodevelopmental Assessments for individuals with co-occurring mental health concerns.
- Support and Advice for families, carers, and professionals working with young people.
- Training and Consultation for professionals supporting children and adolescents.
Who is CAMHS For?
In line with the Scottish Government CAMHS Service Specification, CAMHS is here to support children and young people aged 0-18 who:
- Are experiencing significant mental health problems.
- Have not responded to other forms of support.
- Require specialist care to manage emotional, behavioural, or developmental challenges.
How to Access CAMHS
Referrals to Grampian CAMHS are typically made by professionals such as GPs, health visitors, social workers, or school staff. These professionals will ask for your consent before contacting us. If you are concerned about your child’s mental health, you can speak to your GP or school health team to discuss a referral.
Once a referral is accepted, you will receive a letter inviting you to contact your local CAMHS team to arrange a CHOICE appointment. This appointment may take place in person or via NHS Near Me video conferencing platform. Please be aware that there can be a wait of up to 10 weeks for CHOICE appointments.
Our Commitment to You
Grampian CAMHS follows national standards to ensure you receive the best possible care. We tailor our support to your individual needs and involve you in decisions about your care. We use evidence-based approaches that are individualised to your needs and wishes as much as resources allow for this. We uphold your rights throughout your journey with us. We can support you through transitions, such as moving to adult services, and include families and carers in your care with your permission.
Your privacy and confidentiality are very important to us. We only share information when it is necessary for your care, or if there are concerns about safety. Wherever possible, we will talk with you first and explain what is being shared and why.
How Grampian CAMHS Fits Into the Bigger Picture
Grampian CAMHS is part of a wider network of mental health support for children and young people across NHS Scotland. Services are organised into four tiers to ensure that each individual receives the right level of care at the right time.
We follow the national Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC) approach, which places the wellbeing of children and young people at the centre of all support. GIRFEC encourages joined-up working across health, education, and social care. At Grampian CAMHS, this means we aim to understand each young person’s unique situation and provide support that is timely, coordinated, and tailored to their needs.
Our service uses a tiered model of intervention supported by a staged approach. This includes a stepped care model, where support becomes more specialised as a young person’s needs become more complex, and a matched care model, which ensures the right type of help is offered from the earliest stage. Together, these approaches help us deliver responsive and proportionate care.
Tier 1: Includes universal supports such as GPs, school nurses, and other primary care providers. These are often the first point of contact and are well-placed to help with mild mental health concerns.
Tier 2: Focuses on early intervention and may involve youth workers, wellbeing hubs, and school-based counselling. These services support children and young people with mild to moderate difficulties and aim to prevent issues from becoming more complex.
Tier 3: Specialist outpatient support for children and young people with more complex or ongoing mental health difficulties. This may include therapeutic interventions, psychological assessments, and close collaboration with families and professionals.
Tier 4: Designed for the most severe, complex or persistent mental health needs. These may involve significant eating disorders, severe self-harm, or psychosis, and can include inpatient care, specialist units, or intensive community-based support.
We work closely with schools, GPs, social care, and other services to ensure that children and young people receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time.
If CAMHS Is Not the Right Fit
If CAMHS is not the most appropriate service, we will help you connect with other services or resources in the community and your case will be closed to us at that time. If your case has been closed but you are still struggling and you have connected to the suggested services and engaged with the recommendations that were made within the CHOICE appointment, please speak to your GP about further support or a possible re-referral.
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