Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)

First Steps: service profile
First Steps in City and Hackney aims to help children and young
people (0-18 years) and their families with emotional, behavioural
and social concerns before those concerns become major
difficulties. This is done by providing a range of direct
individual and family interventions, including parenting support.
Mental health promotion and teaching, and training and consultation
to frontline professionals working with children and young people
are also provided. We deliver an early intervention service for
mild to moderate concerns, and have clear transition pathways with
East London Foundation Trust to ensure children with more enduring
needs receive the level of service they require. The First Steps
team comprises 15 child mental health specialist based in childrens
centres and GP practices, as well as three locality leads. The
service is the former CHYMES (City and Hackney Young People’s
Mental Health Service).
Objectives
- Provide early access to help for mild to moderate emotional and
psychological problems
- Improve parenting and raise awareness about children’s
emotional well-being
- Address children’s behavioural difficulties
- Improve mental health awareness and skills in primary care and
community staff
- Develop projects which support and empower parents and
community groups
- Provide consultation, training and supervision to other
colleagues working with children in the community
- To maintain safeguarding and child protection awareness as part
of our practice
Referrals
Children and young people can be referred to the service by a
parent or guardian, GP, health visitor, paediatrician, occupational
therapist, educational psychologist, or other health care
professional. They may also self-refer to this service.
Currently the response time in within 2-4 weeks.
Opening hours
The service is typically available Monday to Friday from 9.00am
– 5.00pm.
Clinics
Contact details
CAMHS
2nd Floor Tower View
134 Kingsland Road
London
E2 8DY
Phone: 020 7683 4611
Fax: 020 7683 2615