Learning disability team - Brighton & Hove

The CAMHS Learning Disability team is made up of a number of specialist learning disability and mental health professionals including: psychiatry; clinical psychologist; nurse and behavioural specialist. The team is based at Seaside View Child Development Service and we work closely with colleagues from Brighton & Hove City Council and Sussex Community NHS Trust.

What does our service provide?

The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Learning Disability team (CAMHS LD) offers specialist psychological, emotional and behavioural support for children with a learning disability and their families, carers and networks.

Who can use our service?

The CAMHS LD service is for children and young people aged 0-18 who have a learning disability; where there is concern about their emotional wellbeing, mental health, or there is difficulty managing behaviour.

Children and young people with a learning disability are more likely to develop emotional and behavioural problems. Diagnosing and treating their problems is often complicated by the way symptoms show themselves or by difficulties in communication.

Our team offers specialist assessment, advice and support to thinking about the particular emotional and behavioural needs of children with a learning disability.

Anyone can make a referral, including parents, carers or the young people themselves. Referrals are sent to us via Brighton & Hove Wellbeing Service.

As a team we work alongside families and young people in their home, as well as in a range of settings such as school, respite services, or during leisure activities. 

We talk to parents/carers over a period of time to hear their concerns. We also talk to other professionals involved with the individual to gain all perspectives. We collect detailed information using observation, questionnaires and diaries.

Our team also provides group intervention for anxiety and low mood. Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) parent groups, training, consultation to schools and other professionals, and service development. The team also offer parent/carer consultations, which are held at schools, involving social workers, teachers/SENCO and respite support workers. This gives an opportunity to discuss the young person.