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A new NHS-led service for children and young people in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin with mental health, emotional wellbeing and neurodevelopmental needs will be launched on 1 April.
The new Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) will be delivered by Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT) and will replace and expand on the current BeeU service.
It has been shaped by extensive engagement with children, young people, families and professionals led by NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin during 2024-2025.
The new model responds to the changing local needs of children and young people aged 0-25 experiencing emotional and mental health difficulties, and prioritises easier access, earlier support and more joined-up care to ensure the right help is available at the right time. It also seeks to reduce inequalities in access, outcomes and experience, especially for vulnerable groups, including children in care and those with special education needs and disabilities (SEND).
If a child or young person is already receiving support from BeeU, their care will continue and they will not need to opt in or be re-referred.
What will be changing
- One front door for information and referrals, guiding people to the right support
- Earlier help and support while waiting
- Joined-up care so families don’t repeat their story
- Support from 0–25, with planned moves into adult services where required
- Fair access and targeted support for vulnerable groups, including the development, in partnership with local authorities, of an enhanced pathway for children with specific needs in this area
- An improved digital offer providing greater choice to children, young people and families in how to access the support they need
- An enhanced pathway to more effectively meet the needs of vulnerable children will be developed later this year in partnership with local authorities as part of the ongoing transformation of the service
Cathy Riley, Managing Director of MPFT’s Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Care Group said: “
“We’re excited to be delivering this new service to meet the emotional wellbeing, mental health and neurodevelopmental needs of children, young people and their families in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.
“As the existing provider of these services in the county, we understand the needs of the local community have changed in recent years, and this new service model seeks to address this, with a dedicated focus on prioritising easier access, earlier support and more joined-up care for those in need. The transformation of these services will continue over the next three years, and we’re looking forward to involving the local community in shaping how they evolve.
“In the meantime, it’s important to stress that if a child or young person is already receiving support from BeeU, their care will continue and they will not need to opt in or be re-referred.”
Gemma Smith, Director of Commissioning at NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, said:
“This model was informed with our community. Hundreds of children, young people, parents, carers and professionals shared what must improve, and we’ve built those asks into the new service: one front door, earlier help, support while you wait, and care that works together so people don’t have to repeat their story.”
The new service follows the national i-THRIVE framework, with help available for everyday worries, short-term support when needs are rising, specialist care for more complex difficulties, and round-the-clock urgent support.
The new service will strengthen its autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) offer, with clear steps, family and school advice, and safe medication reviews where appropriate, while for eating difficulties and disorders there will be greater community-based support in place, alongside early help and medical monitoring.
Support in schools will continue to expand through Mental Health Support Teams, with the ambition to reach all schools by 2030. The transition to adult services will be improved, with young people being supported where needed, and those leaving the service will receive a care and support plan, with a quick route back if things change.
Following the launch, a three-year programme will continue to transform the service, prioritising earlier help and prevention, whilst ensuring children, young people, families and professionals are involved in shaping this ongoing change.
For further information about what is changing visit: New Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin Children and Young People’s Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Service (mpft.nhs.uk)
Notes to editors
- CAMHS: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services – local NHS support for children and young people’s emotional wellbeing and mental health.
- Pathways: the new model strengthens neurodevelopmental (autism/ADHD) and community eating disorder pathways and continues the expansion of Mental Health Support Teams in schools (aim: all schools by 2030).
- Timeline: model launches 1 April, with a three‑year transformation programme to further embed earlier help and prevention.
- I-THRIVE: a national needs-led and person-centred framework designed to transform mental health services for children and young people aged 0-25, and their families, with a focus on shared decision-making and empowerment. For more information visit: i-THRIVE
