Children and Family Health Devon

Waiting times

At Children and Family health Devon (CFHD) we understand the importance of timely access to care. We are aware of current wait times across CFHD and recognise the impact this may have on our service users.

We are actively working to alleviate these wait times, ensuring that our commitment to providing prompt and quality care remains unwavering. Our service users are our top priority and we appreciate your patience and understanding as we work diligently to better your experience.

If you feel things are getting worse , or if at any time you need to speak to us urgently, we have an on-call clinician available every day between 9am and 5pm on 03300 245 321.  Outside of these hours if you urgently need to speak to us please contact our out of hours number:  0300 555 5000.

Young People: 24/7 support:
If you are under 18, you can contact Torbay and Devon Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) for mental health support and advice:

03300 245 321 between 8am-5pm

0300 555 5000 out of hours

First response: 24/7 helpline

If you are experiencing mental health distress or worries about someone else’s emotional state- support is available from our First Response Service:

0808 196 8708

NHS 111

Are you in a mental health crisis?

Call 111 and select mental health option

Kooth, Digital Support

Online mental wellbeing community. Safe, anonymous support free to people under 18:

www.kooth.com

Urgent Help: 24/7 support:

If you are at risk of causing harm to yourself, call:

999

Childline 0800 1111

Samaritans 24/7  on 116 123

NHS 111 options

Image: Find out more about the Lumi Nova app

Overcome your fears and worries – A new digital therapeutic intervention (game app) for 7-12 year olds.

Important referral route update – Devon County Council 1st April 2024

Devon County Council’s Children’s Services provide a range of services to children, young people and families within Devon. The referrals for services including:

  • Early Years Complex Needs Service (EYCN)
  • Rehabilitation Officer for Visually Impaired Children (ROVIC)
  • Disabled Children’s Service (DCS)

have been supported in partnership with Children and Family Health Devon through the Single point of access (SPA) for many years.

From the 31st March 2024 Devon County council have developed an alternative route to request services, where referrals will be submitted directly to Devon County Council effective 1st April 2024.  Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD) and Devon County Council (DCC) will continue to work in partnership to support our children, young people and families in Devon, during this transition.

Routes for requesting services:

Early Years Complex Needs Service (EYCN)

Parents, Carers and professionals can request services using an online form.

To find out how to request support please follow this link:

Early Years Complex Needs (EYCN) Service – Education and Families (devon.gov.uk)

Rehabilitation Officer for Visually Impaired Children Service (ROVIC):

Parents, Carers and Professionals can request services using an online form.

To find out how to request support please follow this link:

Supporting children and young people with visual or sensory impairment (devon.gov.uk)

Assessment for a disabled child and their families (DCS):

Professionals will make requests for assessment through the Children’s Front Door online form. Parent Carers will have the opportunity to talk with our customer services or the consultation line who will make the request on their behalf.

To find out how to request support please follow this link:

Request an assessment – Education and Families (devon.gov.uk)

We know that this is a big change for families and are working hard ensure this is a seamless transition.  If you have any comments or concerns Devon County Council are receiving feedback following the link:  Request for Support Feedback

Children and Family Health Devon Stakeholder event Q&A

Thank you to everyone who took time to be part of the Children and Family Health Devon Stakeholder event at the end of 2023.

This event aimed to provide an insight to partners, professionals, service users and communities about the newly designed pathways of care around specialist services for physical and mental health to children and young people across Devon.

To read the Q&A document that has been compiled using questions and answers from the virtual event in December, click the link below:

CFHD Stakeholder Q&A

National Supply Shortage of Medicines for ADHD – Information and advice for people currently prescribed Medication for ADHD

What is the problem?

The Government have information us that there is a national supply shortage of the medication prescribed to help manage your ADHD symptoms.

We know how important your medicines are and understand that this may cause you to feel anxious. We hope that this information will provide some reassurance and give you advice about what to do and who to contact if you need any support.

For more information read our patient information letter.

Electronic patient recording: Systmone

We want to let you know that on 31st January Children and Family health Devon (CFHD) will transfer its electronic patient recording to Systmone.

This move enable CFHD to fully realise the benefits of a fully integrated model of service for children and young people, across mental and physical health pathways.

This transfer is being co-ordination by Devon Partnership NHS Trust Information Team who are working closely with Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust and CFHD. The project has been designed to remove as much risk and difficulty as possible, while making the change as quickly as possible.

This change will be communicated via our website and on relevant documentation to ensure all users of our service are aware and assured they should see no impact in their current offer from CFHD.

Whilst we hope the transition to Systmone runs smoothly, inevitably you may feel that the focus of CFHD is directed towards this transition over the coming weeks.  We hope you will bear with us whilst our teams become accustomed to their new system and way of working.

What are you looking for today?

Request for Service Form Required

t: 0330 024 5321      e:CFHD.DevonSPA@nhs.net

Letter for Tomorrow

Four of CFHD’s participation young advisors have been involved in creating the ‘Letter for Tomorrow’. The letter is a powerful and moving piece of work that is intended to give hope and encouragement to other young people that are facing difficult times and experiencing suicidal thoughts. Astro, Hollie and Malcolm have personal experience of suicide and wrote and recorded an audio version of the letter. Scarlett produced the artwork for the letter.

The Letter for Tomorrow was launched, along with the Letter of Hope (for adults) to coincide with World Suicide Prevention Day on 10th September. Hollie and Lucy Eyre (Operations Manager Risk Support Pathway CFHD) appeared on ITV news to promote the letter.

Read the Letter for Tomorrow.

Torbay
NHS and CARE working with communities and local organisations to improve people's lives