right to choose

carole57
carole57 Online Community Member Posts: 4 Listener
edited August 11 in Families and carers

hi

Can you give me some more information on ‘right to choose’

My grandson age 11 has been waiting for cahms assessment for several years. He seems to be getting worse and my daughter is at her wits end.

We have just taken him and his brother away for a break and are having to come home early as he has kicked off several times.

It is just so frustrating and it’s all well and good for the advice you get to try and help them calm down etc, but in practice hard!!! Especially when you are told you are a f……g a…..hole.

What can we do to help please?

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Comments

  • durhamjaide2001
    durhamjaide2001 Scope Member Posts: 14,532 Championing

    hi there and welcome to the fork we have had the same issue with CAMBS with me it takes ages to be referred. Have you tried ringing the CAMBS crisis team they may be able to help?


    The other thing I would suggest as a distraction is to visit the coffee lounge for a general chat or the games den for some fun.

  • Bluebell21
    Bluebell21 Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 13,500 Championing

    Hi @carole57 welcome to the Community. I am sorry your daughter and grandson are having such a challenging time.

    Have you heard of IPSEA they might be able to help with any educational needs he has.

    https://www.ipsea.org.uk

    Take care.

  • carole57
    carole57 Online Community Member Posts: 4 Listener

    hi

    Thanks for comment.

    Yes we all try the distraction tactic and he is fine if doing activities and things he wants to do, but it’s the rest of the time.

    Happy on his switch or playing board games, but he switches moods so quick.

    My daughter has tried to reach out again to the consultant paediatrician who he first asked for assessment…. But she doesn’t reply to my daughter!!

    Never ending !!

  • durhamjaide2001
    durhamjaide2001 Scope Member Posts: 14,532 Championing

    your welcome glad we could help

  • Mary_Scope
    Mary_Scope Posts: 2,255 Scope Online Community Children and Family Specialists

    Hi @carole57 and a warm welcome to the community from me!

    I'm really sorry to hear what you and your family are going through. It sounds incredibly difficult and it's completely understandable that your daughter is at her wits’ end.

    Long waits for assessments are sadly very common so the Right to Choose pathway allows families to request a referral to an approved provider outside of CAMHS. It’s free and NHS-funded, but you do need to ask your GP to make the referral to the provider you choose.

    The Right to Choose services may be able to assess for conditions like ADHD or autism more quickly than CAMHS so many parents seem to be going down this route due to the traditional pathway being so long! Here is some more right to choose information.

    While you're waiting, it may also help to contact your local CAMHS crisis team if your grandson is already under CAMHS, especially if things are getting more challenging.

    Or even potentially look into Early Help as they can refer to parent support programmes that are designed for families dealing with intense and sometimes aggressive behaviour and offer more support.

    Hope this was helpful, please reach out if you would like more information or support😊

  • carole57
    carole57 Online Community Member Posts: 4 Listener

    hi

    Thanks for that.

    My daughter has had a look but don’t think it applies here in Scotland!

    But she’s going to chat to gp and find out as there may be an alternative…. Unless you or anyone knows of a scheme!

    Thanks

  • durhamjaide2001
    durhamjaide2001 Scope Member Posts: 14,532 Championing

    that's a real shame that you can't access it in Scotland

  • Mary_Scope
    Mary_Scope Posts: 2,255 Scope Online Community Children and Family Specialists
    edited August 12

    Ahh i see, I'm not aware of any Scottish alternatives to Right To Choose I'm sorry @carole57.

    That is good news that your daughter has an appointment to chat with the GP to see if there is one. Fingers crossed your GP will know an alternative route for your grandson.

    I did find Scottish Autism and it looks like they have an Autism Advice Line so it may be worth contacting them in case they know of any alternatives too😄

  • carole57
    carole57 Online Community Member Posts: 4 Listener

    Thankyou will check it out

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