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For Parents / Carers and Professionals

Information about closely linked services to the Paediatric Psychology Service and resources written for parent/carers and professionals

Depending on the individual circumstances around a child’s medical or physical health condition, some needs may be better met by the involvement of other services. Please see below for a description of these services. These services are all closely linked under the Child and Family Psychology and Therapies department at ABUHB and will liaise with each other to determine which service would be most appropriate for children, young people, and their families. The Paediatric Psychology Service may work jointly with these services if a child has a medical condition or chronic illness.

 

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board Specialist CAMHS is the specialist mental health service for children and young people under the age of 18 years living in Gwent, covering the five boroughs of Newport, Torfaen, Monmouthshire, Blaenau Gwent, and Caerphilly. The core work of Specialist CAMHS is to provide specialist assessment and treatment of significant mental health difficulties and associated risks in young people under the age of 18 years. Specialist CAMHS offer a variety of psychosocial interventions, designed to address the broad range of difficulties faced by young people, parents/carers and families. Specialist CAMHS does not take self-referrals from children, young people, or their parents/carers. 


Referral process for CAMHS

All referrals concerning children and young people’s emotional wellbeing and mental health (including routine S-CAMHS referrals) go into SPACE-Wellbeing, the Single Point of Access for Children’s Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health. SPACE-Wellbeing is pan-Gwent across the boroughs of Newport, Torfaen, Monmouthshire, Blaenau Gwent and Caerphilly. Referrals to SPACE-Wellbeing will be discussed at a weekly allocation meeting, attended by all key providers in the borough who offer support and intervention to children and young people with emotional wellbeing and mental health needs.  This includes key providers from health, local authority, education and the third sector.  This process aims to ensure that children and young people are able to access the right help, the first time and that there is no duplication of support across services.
 

As a parent/carer, if you are concerned about your child’s emotional wellbeing and mental health, in the first instance please seek advice from either:

  • Your GP surgery
  • Your child or young person’s school
  • Any other health, educational or social care professional already involved with your family

You can find more information regarding SPACE-Wellbeing on the Healthier Together website.  


Child and Adolescent Learning Disability Service (CALDS)

The Child and Adolescent Learning Disability Service (CALDS) is part of the wider Integrated Service for Children with Additional Need (ISCAN) service but works closely with colleagues within the Paediatric Psychology Service. CALDS offers specialist services for children and adolescents aged 4-18 years with a moderate-severe learning disability that is in association with behaviours that challenge or complex mental health issues.  CALDS accepts referrals from paediatricians, ISCAN and via consultation with any professional who knows the child or young person well. CALDS is based in St Cadocs Hospital and covers the whole of Gwent. The team is made up of learning disability nurses, an occupational therapist, psychologist, and psychiatrist who offer a range of services including assessment and intervention, training, consultation, and advice to other agencies. Please contact 01633 431784 for further information.

 

Helping Hands Psychology for Children with Additional Needs (HH)

The Helping Hands Psychology Service for Children with Additional Needs is part of the wider Child and Family Psychology and Therapies department at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board. The service provides emotional wellbeing support to families of children with additional needs, as well as post-diagnostic support, support groups, workshops, and consultations. The service can support in considering behaviours that challenge and work alongside other professionals to support a family. The service covers the whole of Gwent and has bases at all 3 children’s centres: Serennu, Nevill Hall and Caerphilly. The team is made up of psychologists who work closely with professionals from other disciplines within a young person’s system (e.g., occupational therapists, speech and language therapists and physiotherapists). Please contact 01633 436996 for further information.

 

Concerns about psychological well-being

For parent/carers

For professionals

If you are concerned about your child’s psychological well-being, please contact your GP in the first instance.

You can also access support from your child or young person’s school, or any other health, educational or social care professional already involved with your family.

For immediate risk to life, please contact 999.

If you are concerned about a young person’s psychological wellbeing, please follow this link for further information about SPACE.  

 

Please also be aware of the relevant safeguarding procedures within your organisation.

 

 

Resources for parent/carers and professionals:


Self-care

 

Relationships with others
  • Supporting Siblings - Information for parents and carers on how physical health conditions can impact siblings, and how to manage this

 

Managing thoughts and feelings
  • Low mood and sadness – information for parent/carers about low mood and sadness
  • Preschool stress – information and strategies to support children who are faced with uncertainty and stress.
  • The Anxious Child – information and strategies to support children who are feeling worried and/or anxious (The Mental Health Foundation).

 

Coping with your child’s condition
  • Building Resilience – information and strategies to support parent/carers of children with physical health conditions around self-care and resilience.
  • Coping with Pain – information and strategies for children and young people to better understand and communicate pain (Children's Health Scotland).
  • Helping Children to take medication – resources for parent/carers to support giving medication to your child (if applicable).
  • Talking to children about illness – strategies and resources for both parent/carers and children to support with adjusting to and talking about physical health condition(s), feeling worried about having a health condition and feeling different (British Psychology Society).

 

Going into hospital