For GPs and primary care
Referring to Blip
What to include in a referral, when to refer, and when not to. Assessment within three weeks of the referral being received.
Make a referral
Blip accepts GP referrals for children and young people aged 7 to 25. You can refer a patient who is already on a CAMHS waiting list. Bridging support while waiting for NHS assessment is an explicit inclusion, not an exception.
Send referrals to referrals@blip.org.uk. A structured referral form is available on request.
What to include
- Full name, date of birth, GP surgery and contact details
- Presenting difficulties and current severity
- Current and recent medication, including any psychotropic medication
- Any known neurodevelopmental diagnoses (ADHD, autism)
- Current risk: self-harm, suicidal ideation, safeguarding concerns if applicable
- Whether the young person is already on a CAMHS waiting list
- Parent or carer contact for under-16s; the young person's own consent if 16 or over
What your patient can expect
| Triage call | Within five working days of referral received |
| Initial assessment | Within three weeks, with named clinician |
| Care plan agreed | Within one week of assessment |
| Intervention begins | Within two weeks of care plan |
| Referral to intervention | Typically five to six weeks total |
Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Accepted
- Anxiety disorders: generalised anxiety, social anxiety, panic, specific phobias, OCD-spectrum
- Depression and low mood
- Emotional dysregulation
- Self-harm at low to moderate risk
- Emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA)
- ADHD and autism-related emotional needs
- Transition-related difficulties (school to work, university, early adulthood)
- Family and relational difficulties affecting mental health
- Patients already on a CAMHS waiting list (bridging support)
- Step-down from NHS Tier 3 or Tier 4 services
Not accepted
- Acute psychosis requiring inpatient care
- Immediate high-risk suicidality needing emergency psychiatric intervention
- Primary substance misuse without a co-occurring mental health need
- Forensic presentations
- Cases where community-based engagement is not currently possible
If a patient is not safe for community care, contact the CAMHS crisis team or NHS 111 option 2.
Safeguarding
Blip’s named Safeguarding Lead is trained to Level 3 and accessible during all service hours. Concerns are escalated in line with local authority MASH processes and reported to CQC where required.
GPs receive a written summary of any safeguarding action taken in relation to their patient, with the patient’s knowledge where appropriate.
The service is led by Vivien Beni, RMN, Registered Mental Health Nurse and Registered Manager. Blip Healthcare Ltd is in CQC registration for Treatment of disease, disorder or injury.
Ready to refer?
Send referrals to referrals@blip.org.uk or use the referral form.