Many parents experience some difficulties regarding their mental wellbeing and these can range from mild difficulties to significant mental illness. For most, this will not affect their ability to care for their child. For some, however, their mental ill health may be serious enough to negatively affect their parenting so that the child’s welfare is compromised.

In these cases, it is important that there is a high level of co-operation between mental health services and children’s services in order to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and support families where parents are experiencing mental health difficulties.

The joint protocol includes information on:

• the impact of parental mental health on families
• mental health services in Camden
• children's services in Camden
• how to make a referral to children's services
• how to refer a parent for mental health services
• pregnancy and post birth
• hospital admissions
• procedures for joint working
• young carers
• safeguarding the mental health of children
• training available
• resolution of differences