"Childhood & Adolescent Mental Health Services, Looked after Service ( CAMHS CLA)"

I would like to tell you about the Childhood & Adolescent Mental Health Service Children Looked After Service (CAMHS CLA) I have recently experienced.

I am a foster carer and have been looking after a little girl for almost 7 months (she has now moved on to a long term foster family).

The little girl I have looked after is a real shiny star. However, her past prior to having been taken into care, very quickly started to 'show' itself in her behaviour shortly after she started to live with me.

CAMHS CLA been supporting me / us through our time together and have been outstanding on every level.

The advice, guidance and 'tools' that CAMHS has given me to support this little girl have all been fantastic. I would not have believed such a difference could be made to a child's behaviour and trauma, but have witnessed first hand the value of your service on every level.

Something as 'simple' as giving the little girl a dummy and a bottle and regressing her has had a significant impact upon her.

CAMHS have helped me to understand various behaviours which have been presented to me by the little girl. Each session I have had with Camhs , I have left with practical tools and techniques to apply to what at times has felt a dire and desperate situation.

I am incredibly grateful for the service that i /we have received. I have upmost respect for the professional approach that is taken in your service, for the level of knowledge, care and respect which was shared with me, and I will be forever grateful to your service for making such a positive difference to a little girls life.

When the little girl first came to stay with me, I did wonder what her future would hold. It felt so bleak. And yet, when she left 2 weeks ago I now have a very positive feeling that her future will be bright. Without your service, I doubt this would be the case.

Please pass on my thanks to all involved in helping us to access your service.