Community Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in Bolton
Bolton Community CAMHS is a service that assesses and treats young people with emotional, behavioural or mental health difficulties. We support children and young people residing in Bolton, typically ranging from the ages of 5 to 18. Our dedicated team, fuelled by passion and compassion, is a lifeline for those in need.
Our service is not just a job, it’s a calling. Each member of our team is committed to making a difference in the lives of those we serve. We pour our hearts and souls into every interaction, every therapy session, every assessment. We are more than just a team; we are a family. A family that works tirelessly to provide the best care possible for our young individuals. From our consultants to our practitioners, each member brings a unique set of skills and qualifications to the table. But it’s not just about us, it’s about the community as a whole. We work hand in hand with General Practitioners, hospitals, teachers, i-THRIVE partners and other professionals to ensure that every child receives the support they need. We have had significant investment in our environment recently, including the addition of a new therapy block and plans for a full refurbishment of our main building.
Our service user consultants are actively involved in service delivery, such as conducting groups, resource building, and participating in interviews for new staff. This is a new and great strength, and our young service user consultants, with their input, feedback, and passion, drive us forward. They are the beating heart of our service, guiding us every step of the way.
Our environment is evolving, our services expanding. We are constantly looking for new ways to improve and enhance the care we provide. The service is actively involved in research, in both direct and virtual care, and is currently a site for the BAY (Behavioural Activation for Depression in Young People) and innovative therapeutic mobile game, Lumi Nova. We are always striving for excellence. Recent awards received include recognition for reflective practice in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Clinical Leadership (BMJ awards), as well as team and volunteer of the year awards within the organisation.
The team has also received nominations for mental health team of the year (Royal College of Psychologists Awards) and its participation work. At CAMHS, we take pride in our team of friendly and diligent Practitioners who possess a wide range of skills and qualifications. The service includes a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Specialty Doctor, a Consultant Therapist, a Consultant Paediatrician, Psychological Therapists/Clinical Psychologists, Practitioners from Nursing, Social Work or Therapy, and other allied backgrounds, Non-Medical Prescribers, and Emotional Health and Well-being Practitioners.
They provide a variety of assessments, including the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule interview and Quantitative Behaviour (QB) Test, as well as interventions such as psychopharmacology, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Analytical Therapy (CAT), Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP), Systemic Family Therapy, and Functional Family Therapy, both individual and group, alongside care coordination. Bolton CAMHS are fortunate to have a range of staff trained EMDR, with a EDMR consultant to supervise and develop them.
The service also has strong relationships with community partners such as Bolton Lads & Girls Club and Bolton Together, with whom they collaborate. As a busy and collaborative service, all service users are promptly seen and assessed through the Single Point of Access Pathway, providing an assessment of need, formulation, and some short-term intervention. All plans are carefully planned and reviewed at daily multi-disciplinary team meetings. Subsequently, the service offers several pathways, including the neurodevelopmental pathway for autism and ADHD, the learning disability pathway, the cared for children pathway, the diabetes pathway, the Parent and Infant Relationship service, the CORE case management and intervention pathway, and a range of specialist therapies such as CBT, EMDR, CAT, DBT, and family therapy. Various treatment approaches are provided, tailored to the unique needs of each individual served.
Together, we are more than just a service. We are a community of hope, of healing, of love.
As a service user, relative or carer using our services, sometimes you may need to turn to someone for help, advice, and support.
Find resources for carers and service users Contact the Trust