Caring, safe and excellent

The Primary Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (PCAMHS) in Oxfordshire is an early intervention children’s mental health service for 4 – 18-year-olds that delivers the following functions:

• Direct work for children experiencing early indications of mental health or behavioural concerns.
• Manages a single referral point for all non urgent children’s mental health referrals ensuring that children are directed through the most appropriate service at the right time.
• Supports frontline professionals in dealing with children’s emotional mental health and behaviour issues through training, consultation and supervision.

The aim is to see and treat more children at an earlier stage to nip in the bud problems which might, for example, be linked to bullying, low self-esteem, family breakdown and avoiding school.

Specially trained professionals from a range of backgrounds, including occupational therapists, play specialists and mental health workers, work via the PCAMHS service in the community through courses of up to six one-to-one therapy sessions.

This is a key stage in the development of Oxfordshire’s integrated child and adolescent mental health strategy. It is an early intervention service which should ensure many more children are seen and get the treatment they need quickly before their problems get worse.

Referrals to PCAMHS can be made by any worker from any agency, statutory or voluntary, to a single referral point. Your GP or health visitor can refer your child to this service.

For guidance and general information about the service call:

PCAMHS Headquarters:  0845 219 1486

PCAMHS North:  01295 819138

PCAMHS South:  01235 208707

PCAMHS West:  01993 202 155

PCAMHS Oxford City:  01865 738480

Our Consultation Line for Professionals is 0845 219 1485