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    Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) Learning Disability Community Service in East and West Suffolk

    • The Learning Disability CAMHS Community Service in East and West Suffolk is a community-based specialist mental health service for children and young people who have a moderate – severe learning disability, are under 18 years old and registered with a GP in Suffolk. This service is not for children and young people who have not been diagnosed with a learning disability or who have a stand-alone diagnosis of ASD or any other neurodevelopmental disorder.

    • Service Manager Lead: Agi Huszcza
    • Service Contact: 01473 237 055
    • Address:
      2nd floor,  Mariner House,  43 Handford Road, Ipswich, IP1 2GA
    • Service hours: This service is available from Monday to Friday between 9:00 and 17:00.

    What this service offers

    LD CAMHS Community Service in East and West Suffolk offers assessments and interventions for children and young people who have mental illness, and/or associated complex neurodevelopmental disorders. They may also present a high risk to themselves or others. 

    When somebody is referred to the service our team meets with them and makes suggestions about how they can help. They might also advise if there are other services that could offer the appropriate support.   

    In some cases, the team will help people to access mainstream services, or other more specialist services.  

    The LD CAMHS Community Service in East and West Suffolk also looks at the person's physical health and other social, educational and environmental factors that may be affecting them. This includes working with them and those who know them well to identify any aspects that may make them unsafe or feel unsafe.   

    Throughout assessment and the creation and review of a treatment plan, people who use this service and their family are involved. This ensures they have the help they need.

    Access this service

    Referrals to access this service can be made through the young person's GP, Community Paediatrician or Social Worker, supported by healthcare professional. They will provide evidence that the young person meets our eligibility criteria.  

    Referrals are triaged upon receipt and a specialist assessment date is booked by individual needs.  

    To be eligible for referral to this service the person must be under 18 years of age and:  

    • Have a severe to moderate Learning Disability
    • Have mental health and/or complex neurodevelopmental disorders
    • Have high risk challenging behaviours.   

    Children and young people who have a mild learning disability will be helped to access generic mental health services.  

    Eligible children and young people will be attending, or are able to attend, special school and be registered with a GP in Suffolk.  

    Referrals accepted to the service will have evidence of outcomes from the least intrusive/restrictive support and interventions from other health, social care (Children and Young People) and education providers.  

    Visiting and onsite facilities

    The LD CAMHS Community Service in East and West Suffolk provide clinics in the following locations:  

    • Child Treatment Centre, Bungalow 6, Walker Close, Ipswich  
    • Ickworth Lodge, Hospital Rd, Bury St Edmunds.   

    Both clinic locations provide parking which is free of charge. Both locations also provide wheelchair access and disabled toilet facilities. 

    We understand that meeting a new person and coming for your first appointment can feel daunting. We want to get the best from everyone we see, our Admin staff will reach out to you on booking your initial assessment to support any reasonable adjustments to the environment, or meetings to allow this to feel safe and manageable.

    If there are things we can do to help you feel more comfortable please contact our team to let us know beforehand, so that we have time to make sure this is provided.

    How this service support carers including friends and family

    The LD CAMHS Community Service in East and West Suffolk works with family members and carers across home, work, school, and community settings, if required.   

    Support includes advice, information and education about conditions, as well as signposting to other services and supporting further referrals.  

    Parent and Carer group

    We know that when a child or young person is struggling, it affects the whole family. That's why we offer a dedicated Parent and Carer Group - a supportive space to connect, share experiences, and learn alongside others who understand what you're going through.

    The group is an important part of the treatment journey. It gives families the chance to explore helpful strategies, ask questions, and feel part of a community that's here to listen without judgment. Whether you're looking for practical advice, emotional support, or just a friendly face - you're not alone.

    We encourage all families to take part, as your insight and involvement are essential to building the best possible plan for your child.

    Our team

    Recovery looks different for everyone, which is why we bring together a team of passionate professionals to offer support that's tailored, meaningful, and right where it's needed - whether that's at home, in school, at work, or out in the community.

    If our team can help, you might meet one or more of the following specialists:

    • Specialist Learning Disability Nurses - Experts in both physical and mental health, they work closely with individuals to understand their needs and build supportive care plans that empower long-term wellbeing.
    • Behaviour Therapist - Here to understand what's behind certain behaviours and work with individuals and their support networks to create positive change and build coping strategies.
    • Clinical Psychologist - Provides specialist psychological assessments and therapies, helping people understand themselves, make sense of experiences, and build skills for emotional resilience.
    • Consultant Psychiatrist - A medical doctor who brings expertise in mental health diagnosis and medication. They support with complex conditions and help guide recovery through personalised treatment.
    • Clinical Support Workers - The friendly faces providing individualised support, helping turn care plans into action and making sure no one feels alone on their journey.

    Together, the team offer a wide range of interventions for mental health and wellbeing - not just for the person using the service, but also for the people around them.

    Whether it's through therapy, medication, guidance, or simply being there to listen, our goal is to walk alongside people as they find their way forward.

    Resources

    The following services and resources are also available to young people across Suffolk.

    NSFT resources

    Kooth

    Kooth offers free, safe and anonymous online support for people aged between 11 to 25. It provides:

    • Virtual chat sessions with friendly counsellors
    • One-to-one text-based chats
    • Peer-to-peer support
    • Live online moderated forums
    • A range of self-help materials
    • Journals and goal trackers to reflect your thoughts

    There are no waiting lists or thresholds, just register on the Kooth website at www.kooth.com for immediate support.

    Point-1 Service (Ormiston Families)

    Point-1 Service provides support for children and young people in Lowestoft and Waveney, who are experiencing mental health and emotional wellbeing problems, and live in Lowestoft and Waveney.

    Contact the service by telephone on 0800 977 4077.

    More information is available at www.ormiston.org/what-we-do/mental-health-and-wellbeing/point-1/  and www.justonenorfolk.nhs.uk/mentalhealth  

    The Suffolk Wellbeing Service

    The Suffolk Wellbeing Service is available for young people age 16 and over and offers a range of support for common emotional wellbeing issues, such as low mood, depression or stress. 

    Telephone the team on 0300 123 1503.

    More information is available at www.wellbeingnands.co.uk    

    ChatHealth

    ChatHealth is your school nursing text service.Text a school nurse for confidential help on 07507 333356.

    This service is available from Monday to Friday, between 9:00 and 16:30, excluding bank holidays.

    More information is available at Home Page - ChatHealth.

    Moodwise

    Moodwise is a website for 16 to 25 year olds that offers advice on topics such as mental health and relationships.

    The website address for Moodwise is www.moodwise.co.uk.

    Teenage Mental Health

    Teenage Mental Health provide advice and support to families with young people who are experiencing difficulties with anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, self-harm and other mental health issues. They also run free support groups for under 25s.

    More information is available at www.teenagementalhealth.co.uk.

    Stay Alive app

    The Stay Alive app is a Suicide prevention resource for the UK. The app is full of useful information and tools to help you stay safe in a crisis.

    More information is available at https://www.stayalive.app. 

    The Source

    The Source provides links to support and information for young people in Suffolk, about the issues that are important to them, including emotional wellbeing support.

    Access The Source at www.thesource.me.uk/wellbeing 

    4YP: Suffolk Young People's Health Project

    4YP is a local charity which provides and coordinates services that improve the social, emotional, and physical health and wellbeing of young people in Suffolk, aged between 12 and 25. 

    More information is available at www.4yp.org.uk 

    Suffolk Mind

    Suffolk Mind provides resources for adults and children to help them stay well. Anyone who needs support can contact their friendly team by telephoning 0300 111 6000 between Monday and Friday.

    More information is available at www.suffolkmind.org.uk. 

    General resources which you could also find helpful - Suicide bereavement support

    Victim Support

    Victim Support is a suicide bereavement service for people of all ages in Suffolk and North East Essex (with the exception of the Waveney area).

    This service is free, providing confidential support for anyone who has been affected by bereavement as a result of suicide.

    Contact:

    Email at BBS.support@victimsupport.org.uk  
    Victim Support's national Supportline service is available 24/7 on: 08 08 16 89 111.

    Samaritans' Step-by-Step

    Samaritans' Step-by-Step service supports organisations working with young people so they can respond effectively following a suspected or attempted suicide of someone within the community.

    Find out more at Step by Step | Samaritans.

    Physical activity and good emotional wellbeing

    These resources are useful for encouraging physical activity and good emotional wellbeing:

    Other useful contacts

    • Campaign Against Living Miserably (C.A.L.M) - Male suicide prevention charity for men and boys. You can contact their helpline and webchat services which are available from 17:00 to midnight every day. Telephone 0800 58 58 58 or visit www.thecalmzone.net 
    • Hopeline UK (Papyrus) - A national charity for young people at risk of suicide or who are worried about a young person. Telephone 0800 068 41 41 or visit www.papyrus-uk.org .
    • Anna Freud - On My Mind website has clear, simple self-help advice to support families and children and young people. Visit www.annafreud.org/on-my-mind 

    Urgent help

    If you are a service user and are in crisis and need support urgently, you should contact the service in office hours by telephoning 01473 237055.   

    Between 8:00 and 20:00 contact the crisis team via the Access and Admission team by telephoning 0300 123 1334.  

    Call 111 and select the mental health option to speak to our 24 hour mental health crisis line.

    If you are with someone who has attempted suicide, call 999 and stay with them until the ambulance arrives. 

    If anyone is at serious risk of harm, call 999 and ask for the police. 

    For non-life threatening medical situations, call NHS111 on 111.  

    For more information, see Help in a Crisis.

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