STAndardised DIagnostic Assessment for children and young people with emotional difficulties (STADIA): A multi-centre randomised controlled trial

Why is this study important?

This research focuses on children with emotional difficulties who have been referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Referrals are sometimes turned down by CAMHS, often because of insufficient information. Even if the referral is accepted, assessments are often carried out without reaching a clinical diagnosis. This is important as appropriate identification could enable timely access to the right interventions, earlier recovery and better targeting of CAMHS resources.

For children and their families, receiving the right help at the right time can make a huge difference to their lives. By evaluating different approaches to assessment within CAMHS, and publicising our findings, we hope that this research will help improve care and inform clinical practice and guidelines. Our findings will help the NHS decide how best to ensure value for money with regard to the assessment of emotional difficulties in CAMHS.

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