It can be difficult waiting for support having been referred to Learning Disability Children and Young People's Mental Health Services - known as LD CAMHS . We are committed to seeing children and young people as soon as possible and strive to keep our waiting times as low as possible, however these can depend on the current demand for services and staffing levels. We aim to provide open and clear information about waiting times for each of the services you may be waiting to access. The following detail explains average waiting times in weeks from referral to initial assessment and then to treatment.
Please note: For the average waits you may find yourself seen sooner or slightly longer than estimated. Several factors can influence how long you may wait to be seen, and cases are triaged to identify anyone who may be at the highest risk and therefore require an appointment sooner.
Children and young people's learning disability teams
When you are referred to LD CAMHS - you will initially be offered a Choice Assessment. If it's decided that LD CAMHS can help, you will be offered a series of Partnership Appointments. You can view the waiting times for Choice Assessments and Partnership Appointments below for Wirral.
What is a Choice Assessment?
A Choice Assessment appointment is the first appointment you will have with Wirral LD CAMHS, where we will talk about how your child is feeling. One or two members of the team will ask questions and take some notes and you will decide together whether LD CAMHS is the best service to help you right now.
What is a Partnership Appointment?
If we decide together that LD CAMHS can help you, you will be offered a series of Partnership Appointments. A Partnership Appointment is a set of sessions with an LD CAMHS worker. It is called Partnership because the LD CAMHS worker, along with you and your family will work together to bring about the changes you need. Partnership Appointments can be group or individual based.
Wirral Choice Appointment and Partnership Assessment waiting times
| Choice | Partnership | |
|---|---|---|
| Average wait in weeks | Average wait in weeks | |
| June | 6 | 15 |
| July | 5 | 10 |
| August | 7 | 16 |
| September | 7 | 18 |
| October | 7 | 5 |
| November | 7 | 9 |
| December | 8 | 8 |
| January 2026 | 10 | 10 |
| February | 12 | 10 |
| March | 10 | 12 |
| April | 9 | 3 |
| May | 11 | 0 |
Please note: For the average waits you may find yourself seen sooner or slightly longer than estimated. Several factors can influence how long you may wait to be seen, and cases are triaged to identify anyone who may be at the highest risk and therefore require an appointment sooner.
Children and young people's learning disability teams
When you are referred to LD CAMHS - you will initially be offered a Choice Assessment. If it's decided that LD CAMHS can help, you will be offered a series of Partnership Appointments. You can view the waiting times for Choice Assessments and Partnership Appointments below for Cheshire.
What is a Choice Assessment?
A Choice Assessment appointment is the first appointment you will have with Cheshire LD CAMHS, where we will talk about how your child is feeling. One or two members of the team will ask questions and take some notes and you will decide together whether LD CAMHS is the best service to help you right now.
What is a Partnership Appointment?
If we decide together that LD CAMHS can help you, you will be offered a series of Partnership Appointments. A Partnership Appointment is a set of sessions with an LD CAMHS worker. It is called Partnership because the LD CAMHS worker, along with you and your family will work together to bring about the changes you need. Partnership Appointments can be group or individual based.
Central Cheshire Choice Appointment and Partnership Assessment waiting times
| Choice | Partnership | |
|---|---|---|
| Average wait in weeks | Average wait in weeks | |
| June | 2 | 4 |
| July | 4 | 6 |
| August | 7 | 2 |
| September | 2 | 4 |
| October | 0 | 6 |
| November | 1 | 2 |
| December | 1 | 1 |
| January 2026 | 0 | 3 |
| February | 0 | 1 |
| March | 1 | 6 |
| April | 1 | 4 |
| May | 1 | 2 |
East Cheshire Choice Appointment and Partnership Assessment waiting times
| Choice | Partnership | |
|---|---|---|
| Average wait in weeks | Average wait in weeks | |
| June | 1 | 1 |
| July | 5 | 4 |
| August | 1 | 0 |
| September | 0 | 4 |
| October | 4 | 1 |
| November | 1 | 1 |
| December | 2 | 8 |
| January 2026 | 0 | 3 |
| February | 0 | 1 |
| March | 0 | 3 |
| April | 9 | 1 |
| May | 2 | 0 |
West Cheshire Choice Appointment and Partnership Assessment waiting times
| Choice | Partnership | |
|---|---|---|
| Average wait in weeks | Average wait in weeks | |
| June | 7 | 3 |
| July | 5 | 1 |
| August | 4 | 4 |
| September | 4 | 2 |
| October | 2 | 6 |
| November | 2 | 1 |
| December | 3 | 3 |
| January 2026 | 3 | 2 |
| February | 3 | 3 |
| March | 2 | 5 |
| April | 11 | 4 |
| May | 4 | 4 |
Please note: For the average waits you may find yourself seen sooner or slightly longer than estimated. Several factors can influence how long you may wait to be seen, and cases are triaged to identify anyone who may be at the highest risk and therefore require an appointment sooner.