Choose the template that fits what you need. People can copy it and remove or keep
anything that is relevant to them. Include your postcode so your representative can
confirm you are a constituent.
Find who to contact
Use the official postcode tools.
In Scotland, you can contact your MSPs and your MP. The links below help you find the
right representatives for your address.
Dear [MP/MSP NAME],
I am writing as a constituent to ask you to support ABC Scotland - Assessment Before Crisis - and Scottish Parliament petition PE2230.
Families across Scotland are waiting too long for neurodevelopmental assessments for children who are already showing significant distress, risk behaviours, or safety concerns. Too many children are being left without the right support until they reach crisis point.
PE2230 asks for a national six-month maximum waiting time for eligible neurodevelopmental assessments where significant concerns have been raised. I believe this is a reasonable and necessary step to protect children and families.
[Optional: Add one or two sentences about your own experience or why this matters to you.]
Please will you:
- Read and support petition PE2230
- Raise the issue of assessment waiting times and rejected referrals with the relevant minister or committee
- Ask what action is being taken to ensure children receive assessment and support before crisis point
You can read more about the campaign at https://www.abcscotland.com and the petition at https://petitions.parliament.scot/petitions/PE2230.
Thank you for your time.
Yours sincerely,
[YOUR FULL NAME]
[POSTCODE]
Personal experience
Ask for support with your own case
This template includes space for personal and child information. Only include details
you are comfortable sharing, check you are emailing the right representative, and
remove anything that is not needed.
Dear [MP/MSP NAME],
I am writing to ask for your urgent support regarding my child, [CHILD'S NAME], who is [AGE] and lives in [CONSTITUENCY/AREA]. We have been seeking support for significant and ongoing difficulties, but despite the level of need and the evidence available, our referral(s) to CAMHS have been rejected.
CAMHS involvement to date:
- Number of CAMHS referrals/rejections: [NUMBER]
- Dates of referrals: [DATES]
- Dates and reasons for rejection: [DATES/REASONS]
- Current position: [REJECTED/RE-REFERRED/WAITING/OTHER]
- GP involvement: [DETAILS]
- Other NHS services involved: [SERVICES]
The concerns we have raised include [LIST KEY CONCERNS]. These difficulties are having a significant impact on my child's daily life, education, relationships, family life and/or safety.
Examples of the distress and difficulties we are seeing include [INSERT SPECIFIC EXAMPLES]. This may include meltdowns, school refusal or distress, self-injury, anxiety, sleep difficulties, withdrawal, aggression, risk-taking, sensory difficulties, eating difficulties or other behaviours that demonstrate the level of distress.
There is documented evidence supporting our concerns, including [GP RECORDS / SCHOOL REPORTS / CHILD'S PLAN / ASN DOCUMENTATION / EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY REPORTS / MEDICAL REPORTS / PRIVATE ASSESSMENTS / RISK ASSESSMENTS / INCIDENT REPORTS / OTHER PROFESSIONAL EVIDENCE].
The following professionals and services are also involved or aware of my child's difficulties:
Education: [SCHOOL/NURSERY, HEAD TEACHER, ASN LEAD, EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY ETC.]
Health: [GP, PAEDIATRICIAN, HEALTH VISITOR, COMMUNITY SERVICES ETC.]
CAMHS: [TEAM/CONTACT/REFERRAL DETAILS]
Social Work: [DETAILS IF INVOLVED]
Other services: [AUTISM TEAM, OT, SPEECH AND LANGUAGE, THIRD SECTOR SUPPORT ETC.]
Despite this level of involvement and the evidence available, we have been unable to access the appropriate support. We feel we are being left to manage increasingly significant difficulties without the specialist assessment or intervention required.
I am also aware of the ABC Scotland (Assessment Before Crisis) campaign and its petition calling for change around neurodevelopmental assessment and early intervention. The campaign highlights the experiences of families across Scotland who are facing lengthy waits, rejection from services and deterioration before appropriate support is provided.
I would be grateful if you could let me know whether you are aware of ABC Scotland and the petition, and whether this issue is something you and your colleagues are currently aware of or discussing within Parliament. Given the number of families experiencing similar circumstances, I would be particularly interested to know what action is being considered to address this wider issue.
In relation to my own child's case, I would ask you to please contact [CAMHS/NHS BOARD/HEALTH BOARD] on our behalf and ask them to review the circumstances of the case, the reasons for the rejection and what appropriate support or alternative pathway is available.
I would also ask that you seek clarification on:
Why the CAMHS referral was rejected.
What evidence was considered when making the decision.
Whether information from school, GP and other professionals was considered.
What threshold my child was considered not to meet.
What service is expected to support us instead.
What happens if my child's presentation deteriorates while we are waiting.
What escalation or review process is available.
Whether a further referral can be considered in light of the evidence and current level of need.
I have attached [LIST DOCUMENTS] and can provide any further documentation required.
This is not simply about obtaining a diagnosis. It is about ensuring that my child is safe, supported and able to access the appropriate care before their difficulties escalate further.
I would be extremely grateful if you could intervene on our behalf and also provide any information you can about what is being done at a wider Scottish level to address the issues being highlighted by ABC Scotland and the petition.
Kind regards,
[YOUR FULL NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[POSTCODE]
[TELEPHONE NUMBER]
[EMAIL ADDRESS]
[CHILD'S NAME]
[CHILD'S DATE OF BIRTH]
[CAMHS REFERRAL/PATIENT NUMBER, IF APPROPRIATE]
