CAMHS Learning Disability team (Berkshire)
We are here to make sure that children and young people with a learning disability, who also have a mental health condition, can get the help and support they need.
We aim to work with children, young people, and their families to develop an understanding of each child’s mental health needs and experience.
We can offer assessment and intervention to children and young people experiencing symptoms of mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, trauma, and psychosis.
We understand that children and young people who have a learning disability may communicate their distress and emotional experiences in many ways. We also offer support to children who may be expressing their emotional distress and mental health through changes in their behaviour such as aggression to others (sometimes described as challenging behaviour).
We will offer a comprehensive assessment that will include talking to the young person, their family and other important people in their life such as carers, teachers and other health professionals.
After an assessment, we will recommend what support we think might be helpful and develop a plan with the young person and their family about the best way to work together. Our recommendations may include psychological support, medication, behaviour support and signposting to other support services.
We will also offer:
- Consultation, training and support to families, education services, children’s social care and other agencies to enhance their skills and competencies to meet the needs of young people with mental health conditions and learning disabilities.
- Support during transition to adult mental health services as appropriate.
We can support those who are:
- Aged 5–17 years old and have a diagnosed moderate or severe learning disability (or a significant impairment of intellectual and social adaptive functioning indicative of a moderate or severe learning disability)
- Registered with a GP in Berkshire (Bracknell, Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead, Slough, Wokingham, Reading and West Berkshire)
and are experiencing:
- A significant emotional mental health need
- Significant behaviours that challenge associated with a mental health need
We accept referrals from professionals, as well as parents and carers and young people themselves. Please make a referral online.
Email: CAMHSLearningDisabilityTeam@berkshire.nhs.uk
Phone: 01189 046660
Our opening hours are Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm
