CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) provide specialist mental health services to children who are experiencing emotional and mental health problems.

The Courts will almost certainly make an order for contact where no good reason exists to stop it or deny it - we all know it.

However, over the past 10 years I have seen more and more cases where medical evidence, particularly CAMHS referrals are being used as a blunt instrument to not only frighten a welfare driven court in to ordering no contact, but almost certainly to eliminate the father forever. 

In each of these cases, the mother has gone to the GP and explained, that as a result of seeing the father, the child is suffering, distressed, traumatised etc.  The GP will note that the child appears to be well, but will make the referral in good faith.

As soon as the referral is secured, the solicitor for the mother will write to the father, that unless he agrees to no contact, they are going to court on an emergency basis.  The Battle begins.

CAMHS in general, do not accept referrals for children who are involved in on-going family court proceedings - theres a good reason why this is the case.  CAMHS know that referrals can be used as a weapon to suggest a problem exists!