The number of referrals to children’s mental health services in Jersey fell last year for the first time since the start of the pandemic, according to a new report.

Published today, the Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) Annual Report 2024 revealed that there were 934 new referrals to the service last year.

This is down from a peak of 1,110 new referrals in 2023. Prior to that, the number of new referrals to CAMHS had been increasing year-on-year since the start of the pandemic in 2020.

The number of referrals for the neurodevelopmental service at CAMHS – which provides ADHD and autism assessments – also fell last year, with 534 referrals compared to 915 referrals in 2023.

“The significant identification of children and young people with neurodivergent features in recent years, means that referrals for assessment should now have been made for a large number of those of school age,” the report said.

However, there is still “an unprecedented level of demand” for neurodevelopmental assessments, according to the report.

The average waiting time for an assessment last year was 55 weeks – over four-times the target of 13 weeks.

This is despite £400,000 of Government funding being provided to CAMHS last year to commission private contractors to undertake additional neurodevelopmental assessments online.

This investment will continue into 2025, the report confirmed.

Pictured: CAMHS has spent over £400,000 on commissioning private providers to allow young islanders to be assessed for autism through an online process.

CAMHS has expanded over the past year, and now includes 75 full-time members of staff.

For the first time this year, local staff will be part of the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology through Southampton University.

The lease for Liberte House – where CAMHS is currently located – ends in September 2026, and a new building has been identified for the service, with architect plans in place for the required adaptations.

The report also revealed that the Duty and Assessment team at CAMHS will be extending its opening hours to operate from 08:00 to 20:00 seven days a week from April 2025.

The service has already had a soft launch, operating from 09:00 to 17:00 seven days a week throughout February and March.

Pictured: Constable Richard Vibert is the Minister for Children and Families.

Following the publication of the annual report, Children’s Minister Richard Vibert said: “The Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) continues to be extremely busy and in-demand.

“The statistical performance compared with UK data is pleasing, and progress described in Jersey Care Commission inspection reports also shows a clearly improving and evolving service.

“I hope, as an island, we continue to work collectively to create an environment where every child and young person feels empowered to seek help, share their experiences, and know they are not alone.

“Together, we will continue to work hard to build a healthier, more resilient future for all.”

The full Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) Annual Report 2024 can be viewed here.