Multidisciplinary post-registered education in child and adolescent mental health services

This article describes a study conducted in England as part of the preparation work for the Children's Taskforce, looking at the training needs of specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) staff, and of primary care staff who work with children and young people. A survey of existing service provision and of training opportunities was conducted, and as a result a series of recommendations for future training needs within CAMHS are made. It includes the needs of the developing role of Primary Mental Health Workers (PMHWs) within this area in their crucial link position between primary and secondary services. The study is multi-disciplinary in nature, given that all CAMHS teams are provided by multi-professional workers. Since this work was undertaken the workforce development plans for future CAMHS have progressed under the Children's Taskforce, with the National Service Framework for Children being published in October 2004.