You may also see the term children and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) used. This is an older term for the main specialist NHS community service within the wider CYPMHS. CYPMHS is a specialist mental health service for children and young people. Our staff are highly trained in a range of different assessment techniques and evidence based therapies. Staff work closely in teams so that we can offer services tailored to the needs of the children, young people and families we see.

Therapy Team (including Medication)

The Children and Young People’s Therapy Team provide interventions for children and young people who have been identified as needing additional support to manage moderate to severe mental health difficulties. We support young people with difficulties such as: low mood/ depression, anxiety, trauma, obsessive compulsive disorder, and complex emotional difficulties.

We are able to provide a variety of therapeutic interventions for young people: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Psychotherapy, Family Therapy and Systemic Interventions, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. We offer these interventions through a variety of methods, including individual and group work, and virtually or face to face. In addition, we are able to consider offering medication if this is identified as being appropriate if talking therapies are not successful.

Medication will also be considered following a diagnosis of ADHD after assessment by the Neurodevelopmental Team.

How to get in touch with the Therapy Team: email at lcht.therapyteam.cypmhs@nhs.net or telephone 0113 8434468

How to get in touch with the Medication Team: email at lcht.meds.cypmhs@nhs.net or telephone 0113 843 2711

Learning Disability Team

The Learning Disability Team work with Young People with a moderate to Severe Learning Disability using Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) approaches.

How to contact the Learning Disability Team: email at lcht.ldteam@nhs.net 

Enhanced Support Team

The Enhanced Support Team undertake extended assessments with children, young people and their families who are already open to CYPMHS to understand what support is needed. The team also works with children and young people who need an enhanced level of support during times of crisis. This work can include supporting the child, young person, and their family to manage risk and individual work on goal setting and dealing with difficult emotions. Our multi-disciplinary team will help to coordinate the work of other agencies, including school and social care, and work closely with the therapy team to develop the best support plan for each child or young person.

How to get in touch with the Enhanced Support Team: email at lcht.cypmhs.enhancedsupport@nhs.net or telephone 0113 8430804

Neurodevelopmental Assessment Team

The Neurodevelopmental Assessment Team undertake autism and ADHD assessments for those children and young people who meet the criteria for CAMHS. This is a specialist multi-disciplinary team who, using a clinic model which is in line with NICE guidelines, consider whether a diagnosis of ADHD and/or autism is appropriate for each young person that they see.

Further information about our service, how to make referrals and where to find support whilst waiting for assessments can be found on the Neurodiversity information hub – MindMate

How to contact the Neurodevelopmental Assessment Team: email at lcht.nd.cypmhs@nhs.net or telephone 0113 8432720

Crisis and Liaison

The crisis team operate 8am till 8pm 7 days a week doing emergency assessments in A&E, offering urgent appointments, follow ups and signposting.  They work closely with all other CYPMHS teams and they can refer young people into these teams.  You cannot self-refer into the crisis team but you may be referred to them via MindMate SPA, the Call Line or via the Accident & Emergency Department.  Overnight emergency assessments are seen by LYPFT.

COS

Our outreach team can provide additional support for children, young people and families who are open to the service and need short term highly intensive support.  This team is accessed through other CYPMHS teams.

Eating Disorder Team

Our service specialises in providing care to children and young people experiencing eating disorders. Specifically, we support individuals with diagnoses of:

• Anorexia Nervosa
• Bulimia Nervosa
• Binge-Eating Disorder

We understand that eating disorders don’t exist in isolation; they impact the entire family. Therefore, we work not only with young people but also with their families, ensuring that our approach is holistic, inclusive, and collaborative.

We provide a comprehensive range of services through six core pathways and eleven adjunct treatment options.

Transitions

All young people aged 17.5 are offered the option to opt in to transitions team.  This may be a signposting pack, a single appointment to help understand the options in adult services or, where further support is needed, up to 6 consultation sessions (either direct with the young person or with other clinicians involved).  Transition support is accessed through other CYPMHS teams.

Call Line

Leeds CAMHS Crisis Call Line is available to all children and young people living in Leeds and adults who are concerned about a child or young person.  The call line can be used by children/young people whether they are accessing our other services or not.  Our call line is open 8am to 8am 7 days a week including bank holidays.

Telephone: 0800 953 0505 or 111

First Appointments

Risk Assessments: All children, young people and families that come to Leeds CYPMHS are required to have a risk assessment.

A risk assessment is a helpful tool for children, young people, families and staff to identify areas which may require some additional support.

In Leeds CYPMHS, a risk assessment is talked about in your first appointment. The CYPMHS clinician may ask some specific questions so they can understand if there are any concerns that you may need help with. The questions they ask may include “Do you have thoughts of self-harm or suicide?” or “Are you aggressive towards other people?”  They may also ask your parents/carers questions.  Be as honest as you can.  We’re not here to judge you; we are here to help you.

The answers you give may lead to the CYPMHS clinician suggesting that others need to be involved in your care. This may be a CYPMHS Doctor or someone else such as a teacher at school.

If there are risks that you need help with, then together we will complete a plan called an ‘Our Plan’. This will give helpful hints and tips on how best to manage your worries and provide you with contact numbers / web pages for other services that can help. 

For a very small number of young people, highly intensive assessment and treatment packages are needed. Children and young people offered this will usually have had significant previous input from within our service.

Leeds CYPMHS has an intensive outreach service and access to the West Yorkshire adolescent in-patient service.

CYPMHS nurses are also based in the Leeds YJTs (Youth Justice Teams).