Decision Report 202005528

Summary

C, an advocate, brought a complaint on behalf of their client (B) about B's child (A). B was unhappy that A was discharged by the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) after A was diagnosed with autism (a developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people). B felt that the discharge was premature as A was suffering with both behavioural and mental health issues.

We took independent advice from an appropriately qualified adviser. We found that A's discharge from CAMHS was reasonable and that their mental health needs were reasonably responded to. It was determined that A did not present with a moderate or severe mental ill health comorbidity alongside their diagnosis of autism and it was reasonable for the board to discharge A, knowing that social work was supporting them and their family. As such, we did not uphold this aspect of C's complaint.

C also complained that the board unreasonably refused referrals for A to CAMHS, submitted by A&E after discharge. We found that CAMHS and A&E staff assessed A and concluded that, while A was upset and distressed, there was no evidence of moderate or severe mental ill health that would make intervention from CAMHS appropriate. As such, we did not uphold this aspect of C's complaint.