CAMHS Consultation - May 2026

P4YE partnered with Croydon CAMHS to facilitate a focus group with young people at a school supporting pupils experiencing Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA).

The consultation aimed to understand what helpful, accessible and appropriate mental health and wellbeing support looks like from young people's perspectives. It recognised the importance of listening directly to young people to understand their experiences, barriers to accessing support and what could make services more responsive to their needs.

Trainee Children's Wellbeing Practitioners (CWPs) from King's College London were keen to hear directly from young people as part of their professional training and development.

P4YE facilitated a focus group, creating a safe and supportive environment where young people could openly share their thoughts, experiences and ideas.

The session explored:
- Young people's experiences of mental health and wellbeing support.
- What makes support accessible, welcoming and helpful.
- Barriers that can prevent young people from seeking or receiving support.
- How professionals can better understand and respond to young people's needs.
- What improvements would make wellbeing services more relevant and engaging.
The trainee CWPs facilitated discussions, giving them an opportunity to learn directly from young people's lived experiences and perspectives.

The consultation provided valuable opportunities for young people to influence conversations about the development and delivery of mental health and wellbeing support in Croydon.

Key impacts included:
- Amplifying youth voice: Ensuring young people's experiences and perspectives were heard directly by future wellbeing practitioners.
- Informing service development: Gathering insight into what young people consider helpful, accessible and appropriate support.
- Improving professional understanding: Giving trainee CWPs first-hand insight into the needs, expectations and experiences of young people.
- Encouraging meaningful participation: Demonstrating the value of involving young people in shaping services designed to support them.
- Building confidence and trust: Providing a safe opportunity for young people to express their views and know their experiences matter.
Ultimately, the consultation reinforced the importance of designing mental health and wellbeing support with young people, not simply for them – ensuring their voices, experiences and ideas help shape the services they access.