Mental health issues in children and adolescents are a public health concern. In the UK it has been proposed that up to 20% of this age group will suffer from developmental, emotional or behavioural problems and around 10% will have a diagnosable mental disorder according to standardised criteria (Pryjmachuk et al. 2011). The appropriate service for the Calvert family would present as the child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS). Presently, CAMHS operate within a four tier system derived from the Children’s Service Plan, 2002-2005. Each stage of this system provides professionals and services with the aim of addressing needs based on assessments and evidence based practice. The services utilised are identified as appropriate to the level required by an individual (Pryjmachuk et al. 2011). Tier 1 services are termed universal services and incorporate GP surgeries, health visitors and schools, tier 2 services are termed targeted services and include specialist primary mental health practitioners whilst tier 3 and 4 services tend to be specialised services such as CAMHS community or Crisis team and inpatient admissions respectively (Pryjmachuk et al.
Mental health issues in children and adolescents are a public health concern. In the UK it has been proposed that up to 20% of this age group will suffer from developmental, emotional or behavioural problems and around 10% will have a diagnosable mental disorder according to standardised criteria (Pryjmachuk et al. 2011). The appropriate service for the Calvert family would present as the child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS). Presently, CAMHS operate within a four tier system derived from the Children’s Service Plan, 2002-2005. Each stage of this system provides professionals and services with the aim of addressing needs based on assessments and evidence based practice. The services utilised are identified as appropriate to the level required by an individual (Pryjmachuk et al. 2011). Tier 1 services are termed universal services and incorporate GP surgeries, health visitors and schools, tier 2 services are termed targeted services and include specialist primary mental health practitioners whilst tier 3 and 4 services tend to be specialised services such as CAMHS community or Crisis team and inpatient admissions respectively (Pryjmachuk et al.