EN-CAMHS 2
Research type
Research Study
Full title
EN-CAMHS 2: Enhancing CAMHS Referrals
IRAS ID
332029
Contact name
Natalie Garratt
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 5 months, 30 days
Research summary
Increasing numbers of children are being referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), but a quarter are unsuccessful - many for simple reasons. Unsuccessful referrals are distressing for children and families. The current process also costs the NHS because of wasted clinical time reviewing children who do not need CAMHS’ help. In our previous NIHR 'ENCAMHS 1' project, we spoke to many children and families. We explored the problems they and professional referrers faced and the solutions that might improve what happens now and reduce pressure on CAMHS.
We aim to develop a simple, clear way for children to get the right support for their mental health problems when they need it. We aim to solve the problems people told us about and to improve the quality of referrals made to CAMHS. We hope this helps CAMHS and enables people to learn about non-CAMHS support. We shall talk to children, families, GPs, school staff, CAMHS staff and policymakers and build the new referral process with them. We shall be advised throughout by our Young People’s Advisory Group (YPAG) and by our Parents and Professionals Advisory group (PPAG). The YPAG and PPAG from our ENCAMHS 1 project have told us they would like to work with us again on this project. We shall also recruit new members to these groups for this project.
We want this project to transform how children and young people get access to appropriate mental health support and in doing so reduce some of the pressures on CAMHS. We shall share our learnings widely with national NHS bodies. We shall make the digital tools we build widely available with the support of our key partner, MQ. We shall also publish the academic findings and share widely through social media and our mental health partner networks.
REC name
London - Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/LO/0552
Date of REC Opinion
26 Aug 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion