About the QNCC network
In addition to general Community CAMH services, the Quality Network for Community CAMHS (QNCC) also review community CAMH services for eating disorders.
Stage 1: You complete a self-review
The first stage of the process is when you, the service, complete a self-review and send this information to us.
The self-review is done using an online system which guides you through the process step by step.
If you have applied for accreditation, you will be given additional questionnaires for patients, parents/carers, staff and others to complete. You will have two months to complete your self-review.
Stage 2: The review team visit your service
After you submit your self-review, a review team will visit your service.
The review team typically consists of members of the CCQI, a patient representative, and health and social care professionals from other Community CAMH services.
The health and social care professionals usually include 2-3 of the following:
- a psychiatrist
- a psychologist
- an occupational therapist
- a social worker
- a mental health nurse
- other mental health professionals.
On a review day, the review team will discuss any challenges that you identified during your self-review and offer advice where possible.
They’ll also interview patients, family/carers, and other agencies that you work with to get an overall view of the care provided.
The day is an excellent opportunity for you to reflect on your current practice and ask for guidance from the review team.
Not only does the host team benefit from the day, but the review team can take learning back to their services, which facilitates quality improvement for everyone involved.
Stage 3: After review day
After the review day, you will be sent an individual report which combines your self-review with the findings from the day, including the strengths and advice on any challenges.
If your service has applied for accreditation, we’ll present the evidence to the CYP Accreditation Committee who will decide whether your service will be accredited.
What are the benefits of being a member?
Benefits of being a member include:
- Sharing great practice with the review team and getting advice on any challenges you’re facing
- A report focused on your service
- Being part of the QNCC discussion group: post queries and offer advice to staff at other services
- Attending Special Interest Days and study days
- Free places to attend the QNCC Annual Forum, where we present the latest nationwide results and a programme of interesting speakers
- A certificate of participation which can be displayed on your unit
Benefits of being a member include:
- Sharing great practice with the review team and getting advice on any challenges you’re facing
- A report focused on your service
- Being part of the QNCC discussion group: post queries and offer advice to staff at other services
- Attending Special Interest Days and study days
- Free places to attend the QNCC Annual Forum, where we present the latest nationwide results and a programme of interesting speakers
- A certificate of participation which can be displayed on your unit
QNCC enables services to:
- Engage patients, carers, liaison staff and service colleagues in a peer review process
- Improve referral, assessment and care planning procedures
- Promote collaborative working and improve patient and referrer experiences
- Improve quality, safety and efficiency within the service
Membership cost for 2024 is £3,220 + VAT per service per year. If you sign up for three years, you get a 5% discount.
Self-review membership costs £1,800 + VAT per year.
The QNCC process is managed and governed by College staff and committees. More detail about each group can be found below.
Advisory Group
The Advisory Group comprises professionals who represent key interests and areas of expertise in the field of community child and adolescent mental health services alongside patient and carer representatives who have experience of using these services. The purpose of the group is to advise and further the work of QNCC. The membership of the advisory group will aim to reflect the range of disciplines working in inpatient child and adolescent services.
Accreditation Committee
The Accreditation Committee recommends accreditation status based on the evidence gathered during the self and peer review period. In particular, it looks closely at any instances of non-compliance with Type 1 Standards. The committee consists of members from across the disciplines who are experts in the field of inpatient child and adolescent services, alongside patient/carer representatives.
Stuart Lynch
Accreditation Committee Chair
Service Manager, Dorset Healthcare
Karl Coldman
Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Cygnet Health Care
Richard Dyer
Head of Children's Health and Wellbeing, Jersey CAMHS
Paul Millard
Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
Alex Millham
Team Leader and Family Therapist, Solent East Eating Disorder Service
Carol-Anne Murphy
Nurse Consultant, Warrington CAMHS
Jayne Rowlands
School Manager, Cygnet Hospital Bury
Sebastien Thompson
Clinical Psychologist, Cygnet Sheffield
Eshan Vadgama
Patient Representative, QNIC
Luke Webb
Transitions Nurse, Pebble Lodge
Michelle Whitfield
Social Worker, Pebble Lodge
If you have any questions about QNCC please contact the Project Team at qncc@rcpsych.ac.uk.
Arun DasProgramme Manager
Leyla Ury
Deputy Programme Manager
Jane Brown
Project Officer