Long waits and too many out-of-area placements prompted a rethink of children and young people’s mental health support in the east midlands.

In 2021, Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust led the creation of the East Midlands Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Collaborative, transforming how services are delivered.

Since April 2021:

• inpatient admissions have fallen by 61%
• the average length of stay is 80% shorter
• referral to admission waits have been cut by 85%
• admissions for children with learning disabilities and autism have been eliminated

The collaborative introduced a single point of referral, regular multi-disciplinary team huddles to make decisions together, and a rapid outreach model (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) 3.5) that provides contact within 2 hours of referral. An enhanced care referral team now conducts face-to-face access assessments, reducing pressure on inpatient units. Family Ambassadors support families throughout admission.

£28 million released from reduced inpatient use has been reinvested in community services.

The CAMHS 3.5 model has already been adopted in the west midlands, with implementation materials being developed to support national uptake.

One young person said: “They made me smile when I thought I could not. They were my saviours.”

2026 NHS Excellence Award for improving health outcomes.