Crisis support

This page explains the crisis support available for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), including where to turn for urgent help and guidance during difficult situations.

If you need emergency services you may need to contact one of the following:

• 999 if someone is having a life threatening or medical emergency or is in immediate danger
• CAMHS crisis services:
  • South Cumbria (including Millom) Freephone 0800 953 0110
  • North and West Cumbria 0300 123 90150 or Freephone 0800 652 2865
• NHS phone 111 if someone is having an urgent medical problem
• Safeguarding hub phone 0333 240 1727 if a child is at risk of significant harm (e.g. physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect are categories of significant harm.) N.B. Harm is defined as the ill treatment or impairment of health and development

CAMHS crisis assessment and intervention service

If emergency services aren’t suitable, then there are other places where you can get support. The Children and Mental Health CAMHS Crisis Assessment and Intervention Service offers short-term help in times of crisis. Although they deal with crises related to mental health they can still offer different types of support depending on the presenting need, e.g:

• give advice/information/behavioural strategies
• help with signposting to other services
• help with mental health assessments
• help with risk assessments
• help with safety plans
• work with the team around the family

How to access the service: South Cumbria (including Millom)

Any parent/carer can ring for help on Freephone 0800 953 0110  24/7, 7 days a week. (Note - outside of the hours of 9am to 6pm the line is transferred over to the adult mental health liaison team).

How to access the service: North and West Cumbria:

Any parent/carer can ring for help on 0300 123 90150 or Freephone 0800 652 2865 24/7, 7 days a week.