Not yet recruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Enhancing Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Referrals 2

This project, called ENCAMHS 2, wants to improve how children and young people are referred to NHS mental health services (CAMHS) in the UK. Many young people currently get rejected, which can be upsetting and costly. This often happens because people are unsure what CAMHS offers, what other help is available, or because of incomplete paperwork. The study plans to create a simple, clear online system for referrals, working with young people, families, doctors, and school staff. It will also provide information about other mental health support options beyond CAMHS. The goal is to make sure every young person gets the right support for their mental health, quickly and easily.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Sponsor

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

235

Start

01 Feb 2026

Estimated completion

30 Nov 2026

No Conditions Improving Referrals Into NHS CAMHS

What is this study about?

This study, called "Enhancing Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Referrals 2" (or ENCAMHS 2 for short), is all about improving how children and young people in the UK get help for their mental health from NHS services. These services are known as Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, or CAMHS.

Currently, many young people are referred to CAMHS, but unfortunately, about a quarter of these referrals are rejected. This can be very upsetting for young people and their families. Often, rejections happen for understandable reasons, such as people being unclear about what CAMHS can and cannot help with, not knowing about other support options available, or if the referral paperwork isn't fully completed. This can lead to frustration for families, GPs, and school staff, and it also means valuable NHS time is spent reviewing referrals that aren't quite right.

Building on a previous project, ENCAMHS 2 aims to fix these problems. The main goal is to create a much clearer and simpler way for young people to get the right mental health support when they need it. The project team will work closely with young people, their families, doctors, school staff, and CAMHS professionals to design a new, easy-to-use digital referral system. They will also make sure that information about non-CAMHS support options is readily available. The new system will be tested in different CAMHS areas across the country to make sure it works well for everyone.

Key takeaways

Improving how young people get mental health help.
Making CAMHS referrals clearer and easier.
Reducing distress from rejected referrals.
Developing new digital tools and providing information on other support.
Working with young people, families, and professionals.
Aiming for a national rollout of the improved system.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for people aged 16 and over who have experience with the CAMHS referral process in the UK. This includes a wide range of individuals.

You could be involved if you work for CAMHS, or if you've worked with the current referral process. Young people aged 16-30 who have been referred to CAMHS in the last five years are welcome, whether they were accepted into the service or not. GPs or school staff who have referred young people to CAMHS are also invited, as are parents or carers whose child has been referred.

We also want to hear from people involved in funding or overseeing CAMHS services, or those with a broader view of mental health services. Participants need to be able to understand and speak English well and have reliable internet access for online group discussions. We want to make sure we hear from a diverse group of people with different experiences of the CAMHS referral system.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 16 years old or over?
Have you or a child you care for been involved in a CAMHS referral in the past 5 years?
Do you work for CAMHS, or have you referred young people to CAMHS?
Are you comfortable speaking and understanding English?
Do you have good internet access for online discussions?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

This study does not involve taking any medication or visiting a clinic. Instead, it involves sharing your experiences and ideas about the current CAMHS referral process and helping to shape a new, improved system. You might be asked to take part in workshops or discussions, many of which may be online. The aim is to create an easy-to-use digital referral process and ensure non-digital support is also considered. The project team will gather your feedback on new tools and processes to make sure they are useful and valued. The exact time commitment will be discussed with you, but it will involve contributing your perspectives to help make referrals better for everyone.

Potential risks and benefits

There are no significant physical risks associated with taking part in this study, as it involves sharing experiences and opinions rather than medical interventions. Sharing personal experiences can sometimes be emotional, and support will be available if needed. A potential benefit is the opportunity to directly influence and improve how young people access mental health support in the UK, helping to reduce distress and make the system more efficient. You are free to stop participating at any time without giving a reason.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

University of Manchester
Verified postcode
Manchester, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is CAMHS?

CAMHS stands for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. These are NHS services that assess and treat young people with emotional, behavioural, or mental health difficulties.

Why is this study happening?

Many young people are being referred to CAMHS but a large number are rejected, which can be upsetting. This study aims to make the referral process clearer and more effective.

Who is involved in designing the new system?

Young people, families, GPs, school staff, CAMHS professionals, and policymakers are all working together to create the new system.

Will this involve medication?

No, this study is about improving the referral process for mental health support, not about testing new medications.

What will happen to the new system after the study?

The charity MQ will help share the new tools widely across the country and support their use in the long term, hopefully making a lasting national improvement.

How to find out more

Heidi R Tranter, PhD

heidi.tranter@manchester.ac.uk +447856067940 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.