Over the past 2 and a half years, Battersea Primary Care Network and South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust CAMHS have been working together on a pioneering pilot to integrate a Clinical Associate Psychologist (CAP) into the Young Person Health Clinic.
This innovative model was designed to strengthen the link between primary care and specialist mental health services – ensuring children and young people receive timely, tailored support when they need it most.
In that time, the clinic has become a valued service for families in hashtag Battersea, with overwhelmingly positive feedback from both parents and young people:
⭐ Parent feedback:
Since involvement from the Clinical Associate Psychologist, the support my children have received has been better and greater than ever before.”
I cannot put into words what this service has given my daughter. She’s gained life skills she’ll carry forever and pass on to others who need support.”
I hope this service becomes available in more areas—it has changed our lives. If issues can be addressed early, there is so much hope for the future. We couldn’t be more grateful.”
⭐ Feedback from young people:
It was wonderful. I’m so happy to feel less sad and empty all the time. I find joy in small things again.”
It was enough because we talked about a lot of things that were bothering me and different methods I could use.”
I’d recommend the Youth Clinic mental health support because the CAP has helped me become more confident.”
The pilot continues to progress and remains a strong example of collaborative innovation in mental health care, ensuring young people receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place.