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This national conference focuses on transforming mental health services for children and young people. The conference will support you to improve prevention, access and early intervention, and develop integrated services with clear care pathways from first intervention to crisis and inpatient care. There will be an in-depth focus on how we can improve early intervention through mental health and wellbeing support in schools. The conference will develop your skills to improve outcomes and will include a focus on crisis management, co-production involvement of children and families in CAMHS, inter-agency working, management of online influence, and supporting children in transition to adult services.
The conference will also update delegates on the implications of the 10 year plan for health for CAMHS services including the development of young peoples futures hubs and the CAMHS role in prevention and neighbourhood health
“Almost half of mental health conditions develop before the age of 18. For children and young people with mental health needs, fast access to early, high-quality support is critical. Yet NHS mental health services have never truly met the needs of the population in a comprehensive way, and there are significant gaps in support. Evidence shows that unaddressed mental illness early in life can result in worse school attendance and results, and may mean hundreds of thousands of pounds of lost earning potential over a lifetime. We will work with schools, colleges and universities to better identify and meet children’s mental health needs.”
Fit for the Future: 10 year plan for Health 2025
“1 in 5 children and young people between the ages of 8 and 25 were estimated to have a mental health disorder. Not getting the help they need when they need it can have a huge impact on children and young people.”
Care Quality Commission
“Children and young people are still facing challenges in accessing mental health care…The number of children and young people (under 18) awaiting a first contact following referral to NHS mental health services increased by 20% between 2023/24 and 2024/25, rising from a monthly average of 237,590 and 285,510 (both values are a 3-month rolling total). Over the same period, the median monthly waiting time increased by 65% from 175 days in April 2023 to 288 days in March 2025.”
Care Quality Commission January 2026
This conference will enable you to
Network with colleagues who are working to improve mental health services for children and young people
Reflect on the lived experience of a young person with lived experience
Learn from outstanding practice in transforming CAMHS
Update your knowledge on national developments including the CAMHS role in 10 year plan, neighbourhood health & Young Futures Hubs
Improve early intervention and work with schools in a preventative way to improve identification, wellbeing and resilience
Develop your skills in new ways of working with children and young people in crisis
Better understand emotionally based school avoidance and the CAMHS role in a response
Explore how multidisciplinary teams and neighbourhood models can be optimised to support children and young people’s mental health
Engage children as partners and embed a collaborative child centred approach
Understand online influences and the impact of the Online Safety Bill
Better manage the transition from Child to Adult services
Self assess and reflect on your own practice
Supports CPD professional development and acts as revalidation evidence. This course provides 5 Hrs training for CPD subject to peer group approval for revalidation purposes
