PMHW:the role

Role, duties & responsibilities

The role of the CAMH specialist PMHW is to act as
an interface between Tier 1 universal first contact services for children and families and specialist
CAMHS, with the aims of:

• strengthening Tier 1 CAMHS provision through building capability in relation to early identification and intervention for children's mental health needs

• promoting the mental and emotional health of children and families in the community from pregnancy into adulthood, in line with guidance from the NSF 2004

• enhancing accessibility and equity for children and families, especially those who would not ordinarily have opportunity to seek help from statutory and non-statutory agencies (e.g. BME communities, asylum seekers or refugees, homeless families)

• working across agency boundaries to develop a co-ordinated response to children's mental health needs

• facilitating appropriate access to specialist CAMHS and other relevant provision, according to level and nature of need

• providing a direct service to children and young people and their families in an accessible and less stigmatising environment