CHILD AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE

Family Consultation Clinics are part of the National Health Service. They are for outpatient assessment and treatment of emotional and behavioural difficulties in children and adolescents, their parents and families. These emotional and behavioural difficulties may come about through changes in the family, physical handicap or illness, loss and bereavement. Children and adolescents own show their distress through troubled behaviour, such as sleep difficulties and bed-wetting. The Family Consultation Clinics are available to families with children up to 16 years of age, although adolescents between 16 and 18 will occasionally be seen. If you are concerned about your child, you should first discuss these worries with your family doctor. He or she may help you to improve the situation, or may refer you to us. We also accept referrals from health visitors, paediatricians, social workers and school doctors and nurses. At the first Clinic appointment, we usually meet with everyone who is living at home or those who are most concerned with the problem. Later on, the therapists may meet with different family members at different times. Each clinic is staffed by a multi-disciplinary team including a wide range of different professionals. Whilst the service is confidential, we do share information within the team to ensure that you are getting the best possible service. Also, should we believe that a child is at risk of harm, then we will need to approach the appropriate child protection agency as this is required by law.

The Family Consultation Clinics are located at: