Children’s mental health services were at “risk” of being left unable to function when its current lease expired next year, it has emerged – but a new home has now been secured.
The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) will move into Bermuda House on Green Street from September next year.
The lease for Liberte House – where CAMHS is currently located – is due to end that month.
Pictured: The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) is currently located in Liberte House.
It comes after the Infrastructure Minister approved the renewal of the public’s lease for Bermuda House until 2036.
“There is a risk that the service cannot function after September 2026 without adequate facilities,” according to a report accompanying the decision.
The latest CAMHS annual report revealed that there were 934 new referrals to the service last year, with 75 full-time members of staff working for the service.
The report highlighted an “unprecedented level of demand” for neurodevelopmental assessments, noting that average waiting time for an assessment last year was 55 weeks – over four-times the target of 13 weeks.
The report, which was published in March, said it was “great to hear that there are plans for the service to move to a new building”.
Moving the clinic elsewhere could be beneficial in protecting the privacy of young people who access the service
CAMHS ANNUAL REPORT 2024
It said: “This new space will be bigger, have more office and clinic space, and will not be shared with other teams.
“Young people explained that Liberte House is on the route to local schools, and so they can sometimes feel uncomfortable if their peers see them go into the building.
“Therefore, moving the clinic elsewhere could be beneficial in protecting the privacy of young people who access the service.”
Meanwhile, an inspection by the Jersey Care Commission raised concerns around the balcony at Liberte House, which is situated on the first floor and provides an elevated view of the floor below.
The JCC found that “this is seen as a risk by service users and family members”.
It also noted that natural light was absent in the building, and more office space was needed for staff.
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