Single Point of Access (SPA) for Children and Young People

This service is provided by Argyll and Bute Council, in partnership with the Health and Social Care Partnership, and the Third Sector Interface. 

The Single Point of Access offers one clear route for professionals to access a range of supports for children and young people, including:

• Neurodevelopmental Assessment Pathway and Mental Health and Wellbeing Supports
• Requests for School Based Supports (Microsoft forms)
• Requests for a Co-ordinated Support Plan (CSP)

Child Protection Concerns

The Single Point of Access is not the appropriate route for child protection concerns.

If you have any concerns that a child or young person is at risk of harm, neglect or abuse, you must follow Argyll and Bute’s child protection procedures.

Do not use the SPA for:

• Reporting or referring suspected abuse or neglect
• Urgent safeguarding concerns
• Situations where immediate protection is required

Where to refer - SPA or Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)? 

In most situations we would expect that supports via the Single Point of Access should be put into place in the first instance. However, there are some situations where a referral direct to CAMHS will be appropriate. The Single Point of Access is not an emergency or urgent response service.   Please DO NOT send requests for assistance to the Single Point of Access where there are concerns that a child or young person may be at immediate risk.

Referrals to CAMHS can be made by GPs; Health Visitors; Social Work Services; Education Services (Educational Psychologists, Guidance Teachers); School Nurse; Hospital Doctors; Other Specialist Children's Services.

A referral should be submitted directly to CAMHS for concerns involving:

• Children and young people who have already been well known to CAMHS, or who you think may still be an open case.
• Eating disorder.
• Concern about risk of suicide or serious self-harm.
• Sexual abuse and other serious trauma