Starving in the Midst of Plenty? A Study of Training Needs for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Delivery in Primary Care

Abstract

Current UK child mental health policy seeks to engage primary care personnel in improving service delivery under the heading of `Comprehensive CAMHS' but little is known about the size of this resource, the sufficiency of its training or its commitment to children's mental health. We surveyed local health, education and social services agencies within a UK Unitary Authority just outside London, using both questionnaire and focus group methodologies: 150 primary care personnel were identified in 14 teams. Of these 122 participated in the questionnaire survey, and 60 took part in focus groups. There was, approximately, one such team member for every 30 children with a mental health problem. Respondents reported deficiencies in skills and knowledge, but wanted training and support to increase their involvement provided it related to their daily practice, professional roles, and was developed in accordance with local needs and resources. Lack of training and organization impedes the effective deployment of a potentially huge resource for children with mental health problems. This could be addressed by appropriately tailored training courses, combined with managerial work on systems and remits. Such a programme would be needed to realize the National Service Framework's concept of a `comprehensive CAMHS'.