Launch of new Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin (CAMHS STW)

ISSUED BY MIDLANDS PARTNERSHIP UNIVERSITY NHS FOUNDATION TRUST AND NHS SHROPSHIRE, TELFORD AND WREKIN

A new NHS-led service for children and young people in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin with mental health, emotional wellbeing and neurodevelopmental needs has launched today (1 April), marking the start of a three-year journey of change.

The new Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin (CAMHS STW) is provided by Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT) and replaces and expands on the previous BeeU service. It helps with:

• Emotional wellbeing and mental health support for children and young people (0-25)
• Questions about autism for children and young people aged 5-18
• Questions about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) for children and young people aged 6–18
• Eating problems for children and young people aged up to 18 years

The new service model will be prioritising easier access, earlier support and more joined-up care over the next three years to ensure the right help is available at the right time.

It is also seeking to reduce inequalities in access, outcomes and experience, especially for vulnerable groups, including children in care and those with special education needs and disabilities (SEND).

Children and young people who are currently receiving support will see their care continue and do not need to opt in or be re-referred.

Cathy Riley, Managing Director of MPFT’s Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Care Group, said: “As the existing provider of children and young people’s emotional and mental health services in the county we know that waiting times for assessments or treatment are longer than we would wish and understand families may feel frustrated. We are committed through this new service to delivering real change for those in need of support, prioritising easier access, earlier help and more joined-up care.

“While we’re working hard to improve the experience of local families, we know the changes this new service is committed to delivering will take time. We’re keen that children, young people, families, carers and professionals have the opportunity to continue shaping the service over the next three years, and we will also work closely with our local authorities, schools, and voluntary and community sector partners.

“Ahead of the launch, we worked with the local community in developing a name for the service and CAMHS STW was selected. I thank everyone for taking the time to get involved.”

Gemma Smith, Director of Commissioning at NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, said: “CAMHS STW has been shaped with our community to deliver one front door, earlier help, support while you wait and truly joined‑up care. Working with MPFT, we are moving at pace on an ambitious three-year transformation, strengthening autism and ADHD pathways, expanding support for eating difficulties, improving digital access and tackling inequalities, especially for children in care and those with SEND. Our goal is clear and positive: the right help at the right time, sooner and closer to home, with children, families and professionals continuing to shape the service every step of the way.”

What is changing over the next three years

• One front door for information and referrals, guiding people to the right support
• Earlier help and support while waiting
• Joined‑up care so families don’t repeat their story
• Support from 0–25, with planned moves into adult services where required
• Fair access and targeted support for vulnerable groups, including the development, in partnership with local authorities, of an enhanced pathway for children with specific needs in this area
• An improved digital offer providing greater choice to children, young people and families in how to access the support they need
• An enhanced pathway to more effectively meet the needs of vulnerable children will be developed later this year in partnership with local authorities as part of the ongoing transformation of the service

The new service follows the national i-THRIVE framework, with help available for everyday worries, short‑term support when needs are rising, specialist care for more complex difficulties, and round‑the‑clock urgent support.

Its autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) offer will be strengthened, with clear steps, family and school advice, and safe medication reviews where appropriate, while for eating difficulties and disorders there will be greater community-based support in place, alongside early help and medical monitoring.

Support in schools will continue to expand through Mental Health Support Teams, with the ambition to reach all schools by 2030. The transition to adult services will also be improved, with young people being supported where needed, while those leaving the service will receive a care and support plan, with a quick route back if things change.

The service will continue to evolve its offer over the next three years, with a priority on earlier help and prevention. Children, young people, families, carers and professionals will have the opportunity to be involved in shaping the service.

For more information about the service, visit www.mpft.nhs.uk/camhs-stw