Launch of the Third Edition of the CAMHS Operational Guideline (2025)
We are pleased to announce the release of the third edition of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Operational Guideline (2025), a key step in delivering consistent, high-quality mental health care for children and young people across Ireland.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) are provided by the HSE for the small proportion of children and young people with moderate to severe mental health disorders, who require more specialist supports.
The publication of these guidelines is only one step towards a comprehensive reform and transformation of child and youth mental health services nationally. The HSE both directly provides and, in partnership with our community and voluntary partners, funds a comprehensive range of mental health services for children and young people including mental health promotion, early intervention, targeted community-based support, as well as more specialised community based and inpatient services.
There are a number of programmes of work in progress to support the development and transformation of the wider child and youth mental health pathway, including the Single Point of Access and Integrated Crisis Response Pathways, which are in development and will be published later in 2026.
This edition of the COG (2025) reflects extensive consultation with HSE staff, service users, families, and community and statutory partners, ensuring it aligns with best practice, legislation and national policy.
Key updates include:
- Strengthened governance and compliance within new regional structures
- Alignment with HSE Consent Policy and upcoming Mental Health Act for 16–17-year-olds.
- Enhanced support for transitions between services
- Operational alignment with National Clinical Programmes and Sláintecare objectives
- Updated recovery-focused language
- Clearer emergency response expectations aligned with the Integrated Crisis Response Pathway
- Confirmation that inpatient units will operate as a national network, supporting admission of children and young people to receive care closer to home.
- Improved Self-Assessment Tool for quality and Mental Health Commission readiness
- Clarifies CAMHS roles in supporting children and young people with neurodivergence and joint working with Primary Care, Disability Services and the Voluntary and Community Sector
- Introduction of Single Point of Access (SPOA)
This edition of the guideline is a live online document, allowing timely updates as new systems like the Electronic Health Record and Mental Health Commission regulations come into effect.
Access the full guideline here.
If you have any queries please contact the National Child and Youth Mental Health Office [email protected]
