Learning Disability and Mental Health Team discharge support

What next?

You have been sent this information as you have completed some work or appointments with the Children’s and Adolescent’s Mental Health Services Learning Disability Mental and Health Team (CAMHS LDMH) team. Your child has been discharged from the team as no further work has been planned.

It is not unusual after you have had some support from CAMHS to wonder what you could do if you started to feel that you needed support again.

During your contact with LDMH we will have tried to make sense of your child’s behaviour in light of their learning disability and other relevant diagnoses and factors. We may have identified strategies to help you to manage the difficulties you and your child might encounter.

What if I need support again?

Once discharged from the team, you or someone who you are working with can contact us to ask for further support. If support would be useful and appropriate, you may be offered a consultation appointment

How can I get a consultation appointment?

Within 6 months of being discharged

If it is within 6 months of being discharged from the service you can call us directly to discuss whether a consultation appointment with the team would be appropriate and useful (0114 226 2788). You would not need a referral from a professional to arrange this appointment.

Longer than 6 months since being discharged

If you would like help, but more than 6 months has passed since you were discharged from the team, then you can ask a professional working with your child (such as a Ryegate professional or community paediatrics) to refer you back to the team. This referral will give you access to consultation if deemed appropriate.

You can access a consultation up to your child being 18 years old. You must attend this with a professional or carer involved with your child or family. This is a single session to discuss issues or concerns, to solve problems and find solutions and strategies with the team. You may be discharged following consultation, or placed on the waiting list for further direct work with the team.

Other useful resources

Voluntary sector and community services for children, young people and families

Sheffield Mencap and Gateway offer a range of services to children in Sheffield who have learning disabilities and/ or autism. To find out about the projects offered visit

Sheffield Autistic Society is a local charity for people with autism (including Asperger’s syndrome) and their families. They provide support and information and campaign for a better world for Sheffield people with autism and Asperger’s syndrome.

Sheffield SEN and Disability Information Advice and Support (SSENDIAS): Formerly known as Parent Partnership. Provides impartial, confidential information, advice and support to parents/carers of children and young people (0-25) with disabilities and special educational needs in relation to education, health and social care services, disability benefits (e.g. DLA/PIP forms), support groups and leisure opportunities.

Special Needs Inclusion Playcare Service (SNIPS) help disabled children aged 5-18 access out-of-school activities /clubs to give their parents a break from caring. For more information and how to access this service, visit:http://www.sheffielddirectory.org.uk/kb5/sheffield/directory/service.page?id=GdN3paL-tT4&localofferchannel=0

Sheffield Young Carers are a registered charity that provides support to children and young people aged 8-25 in Sheffield who are young carers. They provide support through one-to-one work, group support, trips, holidays, and support with education, employment, and training. They also work with families with the aim of reducing the caring that the young person is taking on and improving life for the whole family.
0114 258 4595
information@sheffieldyoungcarers.org.uk

Support Forums

PDA Support Group is a group for parents and carers of children and young people with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). They meet monthly, alternating between venues in Sheffield and Rotherham. They don’t have a website or Facebook page, but you can email pda.rotherhamsheffield@gmail.com for more information.

Sheffield Parent Carer Forum are an independent group of parents and carers of children and young people (0-25) with special educational needs and disabilities. They bring together parent carers from across Sheffield to provide mutual support, exchange information, and influence policy and practice. https://sheffieldparentcarerforum.org.uk/

National charities, informative websites and online resources

British Institute of Learning Disabilities (BILD) is a charity which exists to improve the quality of life of all people with a learning disability.
0156 272 3010
enquiries@bild.org.uk

YoungSibs provide support, information and a space to share feelings and experiences to children and young people aged 6 to 17 who have a sibling who is disabled, has special educational needs or a serious long-term condition.

Sibs is a charity which supports people who grow up with or have grown up with a disabled brother or sister. They provide siblings with information and support, and additional information for parents and professionals. The charity also host sibling support groups.

Contact is a national charity for families with disabled children. They offer information and guidance to help families feel valued, supported, confident and informed. To find out more about Contact visit their website or call their freephone helpline on 0808 808 3555.

PDA Society aim to offer support, advice and information to anyone involved with a person with pathological demand avoidance, whether suspected or diagnosed.

National Autistic Society is a charity which provides information and advice to autistic people, their families and friends. They also run a range of support services for children, young people and adults.
020 7833 2299

Autism Eye is an online magazine informing parents and professionals on the latest research and news on autism. Online subscription is free.

Scope is a charity that provides support, information and advice to disabled people, their families and professionals.
0808 800 3333

Challenging Behaviour Foundation provides information and support to families and professionals caring for individuals with severe learning disabilities who are described as having challenging behaviour. The foundation has both a parents email network and a professionals email network and also a wide range of free resources available for families.
Family support line: 0300 666 0126
Email: support@thecbf.org.uk

The Children’s Sleep Charity provides families and professionals with support and training on supporting children with sleep issues. The charity also provide specific information and support for families of children with ASD or ADHD.
01302 751 416

Fragile X Society is a registered charity in England and Wales No. 1127861. It provides information and support to families affected by fragile X. The society creates a network of families through an online community and support groups, and provides information in multiple languages.
Tel: 01371 875 100
Email: info@fragilex.org.uk

NOFAS-UK is a registered charity in England and Wales No. 1101935, established in 2003. It provides information on fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), links families where possible, runs family activity days, conferences and training sessions, has a library of resources and publishes a regular newsletter.
Helpline: 020 8458 5951
Email: info@nofas-uk.org

Cerebra are a charity providing support, information and advice face to face, online or by phone to children with neurological conditions and their families. Cerebra offers a free postal library for books and sensory equipment and hold workshops and other events.
Telephone: 01267 244200

Family Fund is a charitable organisation that aims to improve the lives of low-income families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people. They provide items and services to all low-income families in the UK that they could not otherwise afford or access, Family Fund grants can help break down many of the barriers families face, improving their quality of life and easing additional daily pressures.