Risk Assessment & Safeguarding

Understanding risk factors and CAMS safeguarding protocols. Professional guidance for referrers and partner agencies.

Suitability

CAMS services risk and suitability guidance

Use this page to understand whether CAMS services support is appropriate for your young person, placement, or commissioning context.

We assess safeguarding information, behaviour history, medical needs, and logistics before confirming chaperone cover, mentoring hours, or package tiers. Honest disclosure helps us plan safe sessions and realistic goals.

If risk is high or needs fall outside our scope, we will signpost alternatives or recommend combined provision with other agencies rather than accepting work we cannot deliver safely.

submit a referral speak to the team read safeguarding policies

Who this is for

This page helps schools, social workers, local authority professionals and parents decide whether CAMS mentoring is an appropriate intervention pathway. Use the triage matrix to identify current risk level, then follow the escalation flow to determine immediate next actions.

Appropriate for CAMS

Behavioural, emotional, engagement, routine and confidence needs without immediate psychiatric crisis.

Needs consultation

Mixed presentation where risk is unclear, or where existing services need mentoring support to sit alongside their plan.

Not first-line for CAMS

Active suicidal intent, severe psychosis, acute safeguarding danger, or any emergency requiring crisis team or emergency response.

Mentor and young person in a focused support session — Relationship-first mentoring with safeguarding oversight.

Supported routine and structured learning activity — Structured sessions help reduce uncertainty and improve engagement.

Triage Matrix

HIGH RISK

Immediate Safety Concerns

Young people presenting with active suicidal ideation, severe self-harm, serious mental health crises, or acute safeguarding concerns require immediate intervention and specialist services.

Risk Indicators

▪Active suicidal or self-harm ideation
▪Severe mental health crisis (psychosis, severe depression)
▪Recent serious harm incidents
▪Severe child exploitation or abuse
▪Acute safeguarding concerns (domestic violence, neglect)
▪Active substance abuse requiring detoxification

CAMS Action Protocol

✓Referral to immediate specialist services (mental health crisis team)
✓Liaison with local authority safeguarding teams
✓Contact with emergency services where appropriate
✓Support coordination with existing mental health providers
✓Close communication with parents/carers and professionals
✓CAMS mentoring as supplementary support only after acute crisis stabilisation

MEDIUM RISK

Significant Behavioral or Emotional Concerns

Young people with moderate behavioral, emotional, or social difficulties who require structured support and close monitoring but are not in immediate acute danger.

Risk Indicators

▪Chronic self-harm or suicidal thoughts (not current emergency)
▪Serious behavioral problems with risk of harm
▪Moderate mental health concerns (depression, anxiety)
▪History of exploitation or abuse (stabilised)
▪Substance misuse (but not acute crisis)
▪School exclusion or serious truancy

CAMS Action Protocol

✓Comprehensive assessment and consultation with existing services
✓Mentoring with close oversight and regular reviews
✓Monthly safeguarding supervision for mentors
✓Regular communication with parents/carers and professionals
✓Clear escalation protocols if risk increases
✓Ongoing support coordination with relevant agencies

LOW RISK

Engagement and Development Needs

Young people with primarily behavioral, educational, or social development needs without significant safeguarding concerns. Ideal candidates for mentoring intervention.

Risk Indicators

▪Low engagement with education or activities
▪Mild to moderate behavioral concerns
▪Social skills development needs
▪Confidence and self-esteem building
▪Need for positive role modeling
▪Structure and routine support

CAMS Action Protocol

✓Standard mentoring with appropriate activity matching
✓Quarterly safeguarding supervision for mentors
✓Regular progress reviews (every 4-6 weeks)
✓Communication with parents/carers
✓Standard escalation protocols if concerns arise
✓Continuation of mentoring as primary support

Escalation flow

Step 1

Immediate danger?

Refer to emergency services, crisis team, or safeguarding duty team before any mentoring allocation.

Step 2

Risk present but stable?

Use CAMS with increased professional oversight, regular review, and clear escalation triggers.

Step 3

Low risk and suitable?

Start mentoring intervention with a tailored activity plan, progress reviews, and transparent communication with carers/referrers.

Need a quick decision?

If you are unsure whether to refer, our team can triage suitability and advise on immediate next steps. We will tell you directly when specialist crisis services are the right first route.

Start a referral Talk to safeguarding team Explore CAMS services

CAMS services risk and suitability guidance

Use this page to understand whether CAMS services support is appropriate for your young person, placement, or commissioning context.

If risk is high or needs fall outside our scope, we will signpost alternatives or recommend combined provision with other agencies rather than accepting work we cannot deliver safely.

Who this is for

Appropriate for CAMS

Behavioural, emotional, engagement, routine and confidence needs without immediate psychiatric crisis.

Needs consultation

Mixed presentation where risk is unclear, or where existing services need mentoring support to sit alongside their plan.

Not first-line for CAMS

Active suicidal intent, severe psychosis, acute safeguarding danger, or any emergency requiring crisis team or emergency response.

Triage Matrix

HIGH RISK

Immediate Safety Concerns

Young people presenting with active suicidal ideation, severe self-harm, serious mental health crises, or acute safeguarding concerns require immediate intervention and specialist services.

Risk Indicators

▪Active suicidal or self-harm ideation
▪Severe mental health crisis (psychosis, severe depression)
▪Recent serious harm incidents
▪Severe child exploitation or abuse
▪Acute safeguarding concerns (domestic violence, neglect)
▪Active substance abuse requiring detoxification

CAMS Action Protocol

✓Referral to immediate specialist services (mental health crisis team)
✓Liaison with local authority safeguarding teams
✓Contact with emergency services where appropriate
✓Support coordination with existing mental health providers
✓Close communication with parents/carers and professionals
✓CAMS mentoring as supplementary support only after acute crisis stabilisation

MEDIUM RISK

Significant Behavioral or Emotional Concerns

Young people with moderate behavioral, emotional, or social difficulties who require structured support and close monitoring but are not in immediate acute danger.

Risk Indicators

▪Chronic self-harm or suicidal thoughts (not current emergency)
▪Serious behavioral problems with risk of harm
▪Moderate mental health concerns (depression, anxiety)
▪History of exploitation or abuse (stabilised)
▪Substance misuse (but not acute crisis)
▪School exclusion or serious truancy

CAMS Action Protocol

✓Comprehensive assessment and consultation with existing services
✓Mentoring with close oversight and regular reviews
✓Monthly safeguarding supervision for mentors
✓Regular communication with parents/carers and professionals
✓Clear escalation protocols if risk increases
✓Ongoing support coordination with relevant agencies

LOW RISK

Engagement and Development Needs

Young people with primarily behavioral, educational, or social development needs without significant safeguarding concerns. Ideal candidates for mentoring intervention.

Risk Indicators

▪Low engagement with education or activities
▪Mild to moderate behavioral concerns
▪Social skills development needs
▪Confidence and self-esteem building
▪Need for positive role modeling
▪Structure and routine support

CAMS Action Protocol

✓Standard mentoring with appropriate activity matching
✓Quarterly safeguarding supervision for mentors
✓Regular progress reviews (every 4-6 weeks)
✓Communication with parents/carers
✓Standard escalation protocols if concerns arise
✓Continuation of mentoring as primary support

Escalation flow

Step 1

Immediate danger?

Refer to emergency services, crisis team, or safeguarding duty team before any mentoring allocation.

Step 2

Risk present but stable?

Use CAMS with increased professional oversight, regular review, and clear escalation triggers.

Step 3

Low risk and suitable?

Start mentoring intervention with a tailored activity plan, progress reviews, and transparent communication with carers/referrers.

Need a quick decision?

If you are unsure whether to refer, our team can triage suitability and advise on immediate next steps. We will tell you directly when specialist crisis services are the right first route.

Start a referral Talk to safeguarding team Explore CAMS services