Getting your child seen by CAMHS

Getting your child seen by CAMHS Subheading: How referral actually works, what CAMHS is actually like, what to expect while you wait, and what to do if things become urgent.

If your child or anyone else is in immediate danger, call 999. If you need urgent mental health support right now, call NHS 24 on 111.

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Referring your child

CAMHS, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, is the NHS service for under 18s' mental health in Scotland. You cannot usually refer your child yourself. Referrals normally come from a professional, most often your GP, sometimes a school, health visitor, or social worker.

"I am worried about my child's mental health and I would like them referred to CAMHS."

Put it in writing to your GP if you can. It creates a record and is harder to lose track of.

What CAMHS is actually like

The first appointment is usually an assessment: a conversation about how your child has been, their life, and what's been going on. You'll normally be there too, especially if your child is younger.

  • You'll usually see a psychologist, psychiatrist, mental health nurse, or another CAMHS clinician, depending on what's needed

  • It's rarely a single appointment. Expect an ongoing series of sessions, not a one-off assessment and done

  • Treatment options vary: talking therapies such as CBT are common, sometimes family sessions, and in some cases a psychiatrist may prescribe medication

  • How much you're told and involved afterwards depends on your child's age. "Your child's growing say in their own care" below covers this

It's normal for the plan to change as CAMHS gets to know your child. A slow start is not a sign it isn't working.

What to expect while you wait

The Scottish Government's standard is for at least 90% of young people to start treatment within 18 weeks of referral. Actual waits vary a lot by area, and have often been longer than that nationally, so ask your GP or health board what the current local wait looks like.

  • Exact referral routes and waiting times depend on your NHS Health Board

  • If your child's situation changes while you wait, tell whoever referred them. You can ask for the referral to be reviewed

  • A rejected or redirected referral is not the end of the road. Ask what else is available locally while you wait

If things become urgent

Local CAMHS teams generally do not run an out of hours emergency service.

  • Life threatening emergency: call 999, or go to A&E

  • Urgent but not life threatening, including severe distress: call NHS 24 on 111

  • In office hours, your GP or local CAMHS team can also help. Numbers are on your health board's website. Find your GP here.

Your child's growing say in their own care

Scots law sets out how much say your child has in their own treatment, and it changes with age.

  • Under 12: consent and information sharing is sought from you, alongside your child's own views

  • 12 to 15: your child is presumed able to make decisions about their own care themselves, legally

  • 16 and over: decisions about their care are generally treated the same as for an adult, and parental decision-making rights largely end, though you keep a guidance role to 18

This can mean CAMHS involves your child directly in conversations you are used to having on their behalf. That is expected, not a sign something has gone wrong.

You are allowed to keep pushing while you wait. This is not something you should have to manage alone. Put concerns in writing, it protects your child's place in the system

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