Evaluating staff views and understanding of the crisis and home treatment service (CAHTS): A mixed-methods study within the child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS)

Background: The number of children and young people (CYP) experiencing mental health crises in the UK is increasing. The NHS Long Term Plan (2019) prioritises crisis care for CYP. There is a lack of research and understanding into staff views and understandings of these services. The Crisis and Home Treatment Service (CAHTS) is a service within Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) across Bath and Northeast Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire (BSW) and is a key component of the crisis mental health care for CYP. The aims of this study were to gain an insight into staff’s views and understandings of the CAHTS, and to explore and identify areas for improvement for future practice and policy for the CAHTS. Methods: The study employed a mixed-methods design, obtaining quantitative and qualitative data, by distributing online surveys (n = 37) and semi-structured interviews (n = 9) to gather staff views and understandings. Participants were recruited by opportunistic sampling. Interviews were recorded and transcribed, and a thematic analysis was undertaken. Results: Participants ‘agreed’ that CAHTS were acting in accordance with their core principles and were ‘highly likely’ to use the service in the future. The thematic analysis revealed seven themes, the four most dominant themes identified were: good qualities of the CAHT service, working collaboratively, good clinician skills and understaffed for demand. Conclusions: The data provides insight into staff’s views and understandings of the CAHTS. From the themes derived, the study identified various implications for the CAHTS including further training for staff.