A foot in the door: VCS providers' view of CAMHS transformation

In many areas, Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) providers have managed to ‘get their foot in the door’, with Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and local authorities attempting to harness the potential of their accessible and efficient delivery models – such as the YIACS (Youth Information, Advice and Counselling Services) model – to drive CAMHS transformation. However, in other areas, the NHS system appears to be resisting change and shutting the VCS out. Our findings raise particular concerns over the funding and provision of services for young adults.

This is a report on a survey of 58 Youth Information, Advice and Counselling Services (YIACS) about their experiences of the CAMHS transformation programme. It focusses on eight themes:

1. Engagement of VCS;
2. Involvement of Young People;
3. The YIACS model;
4. Investment in VCS;
5. Early intervention;
6. Tackling the social determinants; 
7. Transitions – meeting the needs of young adults;
8. Transparency & protectionism.