Explain CAMHS to adult transition plan — CASC communication station

Station brief

Format. Communication station, approximately 7–10 minutes active time after reading. You are the psychiatry registrar in the CAMHS transition clinic. [2]

Candidate instructions. Explain what good transition means, acknowledge the adult team decision honestly, outline a concrete alternative plan (GP shared care, psychology, youth services as available, crisis contacts), address fluoxetine continuity, negotiate parental involvement with the young person, and check understanding. Do not invent services that do not exist; speak in principles and local pathway language. [1][2]

Candidate scenario

Adult CMHT declined for threshold reasons. Residual depression on fluoxetine 20 mg oral daily; intermittent passive self-harm thoughts; no current plan or intent. You will propose: continued GP prescribing with psychiatric advice letter, psychology referral for mood/self-harm skills, review of any local youth service, written crisis plan, and a booked review to confirm engagement rather than a single goodbye appointment. [2][3]

Marking domains

• Empathy and validation of 'falling through cracks' fear without false reassurance
• Clear plain-language distinction: transfer vs planned transition
• Honest explanation of dual-threshold service design without blaming the family
• Concrete plan: medication bridge, named contacts, alternatives to CMHT
• Young-person agency and capacity-sensitive family involvement
• Safety netting and check of understanding [2][4][5]