Roles in CAMHS
Crisis Worker
About the role...
A crisis worker in CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) plays a crucial role in supporting young people who are experiencing particular difficulties and struggles. Here are some key aspects of their role:
Immediate Support: Crisis workers provide immediate support to young people who are in crisis. This could include situations where a young person is feeling overwhelmed, experiencing suicidal thoughts, or engaging in self-harm. Their goal is to stabilize the situation and ensure the young person’s safety.
Assessment and Triage: When a young person presents with urgent mental health concerns, crisis workers assess the severity of the situation. They determine whether the individual needs immediate intervention, can wait for a scheduled appointment, or requires referral to other services.
Safety Planning: Crisis workers collaborate with the young person and their family to create a safety plan. This plan outlines coping strategies, emergency contacts, and steps to take if the crisis escalates. It helps the young person manage their distress and reduce the risk of harm.
Liaison with Other Services: Crisis workers coordinate with other professionals, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers, to ensure comprehensive care. They may refer the young person to specialized services or crisis teams if necessary.
Crisis Intervention: Crisis workers provide crisis intervention, which may involve de-escalation techniques, active listening, and emotional support. They help the young person explore their feelings, identify triggers, and develop coping skills.
Collaboration with Families: Crisis workers involve parents or carers in the process. They provide guidance on how to support the young person during a crisis and educate families about available resources.
What qualifications do I need?
Crisis workers in CAMHs usually follow an apprenticeship or qualification route to work with young people. However, on entry they must have 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship is required for this role too. They come from a variety of health and social care backgrounds and must have experience of working with young people with mental health difficulties.
What experience do I need to bring?
Crisis workers play a vital role in providing immediate support and helping young people cope during mental health crises, therefore having experience of working with young people with mental health difficulties is crucial. In particular experience of working with children and young people with a proven ability to study at undergraduate level, knowledge of child and adolescent development and good communication and interpersonal skills are essential.