Starfish Learning Disability Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (Starfish LD CAMHS) offer assessments and interventions to children/young people who have a diagnosed learning disability where there are concerns about their mental health and/or distressed behaviour.
Who we care for
Starfish offers a service to children and young people from the time they start school until the age of 18 years old.
At the point of referral, we require evidence of a diagnosed learning disability AND information about the reason for the referral. For example:
- concerns about mental health, emotional needs and/or
- concerns about distressed behaviour and the impact of this on their everyday life
Starfish does need evidence that the child has a learning disability, and the team will look for this information in different ways. We may ask for more information to help ensure Starfish LD CAMHS is the right service for the child or young person.
What we do
The team has a range of offers that are tailored according to the child or young person’s needs. These include:
- offering consultation to parents/carers and professionals
- working directly with the child or young person
- working with their family or others who support and care for them.
The aim of the intervention is to understand what is happening for the child or young person and to find ways to enable them to achieve their best health and wellbeing.
A Starfish LD CAMHS consultation line is available for parents/carers and professionals in need of assistance. Please contact us using the telephone number below for more information.
Referrals
Referral criteria
Referrals to Starfish LD CAMHS will be accepted for children/young people provided they are:
- Aged from school entry to 18 years old with a mild, moderate, or severe learning disability and experiencing mental health difficulties and/or distressed behaviour that is impacting their life
- Registered with a Norfolk GP
Starfish LD CAMHS accepts self-referrals and referrals from all agencies e.g. GP, social care, voluntary sector.
Making a referral
Referral to Starfish LD CAMHS is made via Single Point of Referral (SPOR) form . Please ensure you clearly mark Starfish as the service required.
The information that is included in this form helps Starfish make decisions. Please provide as much information as you can to help the team understand the need and what is being asked for.
It is also important for the parent or carer to consent to the referral. A parent or carer must sign the referral form.
Please ensure that alongside the SPOR form , you send evidence that the child/young person has a diagnosed learning disability, together with any educational psychology reports that may have been undertaken, and evidence of school attainment levels.
Contact us
Our consultation line for families, carers, and professionals is unmanned but we aim to respond to messages within 2-3 working days. Please outline your concerns and/or describe the areas in which you would like help.
Tel: 01603 272319
Alternatively you can email or write to us:
Email: Starfish@nchc.nhs.uk
Post: Norwich Community Hospital, Bowthorpe Road, Norwich, NR2 3TU
Useful resources (Click to expand)
The sleep charity are here to help!
The helpline is open 5 nights a week, Sunday to Thursday, 7-9pm and the number is 03303 530 541
Learning Disability Liaison Nurses
The voice of the learning disability
Parenting Course for families where a child has been diagnosed with Autism
Advice for supporting your child’s mental health
