Can a CAHMS referral affect a young persons employment chances?

[wherehaveallthegoodfolkgone]

DD is 17 and highly ambitious. She studies hard and is determined to become a lawyer. I'm more concerned about her health. She has a binge eating disorder and the doctor has now referred her via CAHMS to the eating disorder clinic at our hospital.

I know employers have the right to access medical records. I just want her to be well and supported but I'm wondering if I should try to source someone privately?

I’m pretty sure employers don’t have the right to access medical records? That sounds unethical to me…

Being under CAMHS wouldn't have any impact on employment.

Employers can ask for permission to write to GPs for health information but that should never stop someone getting a job they're fit to do.

None of that should be a barrier to her having treatment.

Which employers access medical records? Maybe the armed forces, but who else?

In some areas the YP ED service is part of CAMHS. In others there's a YP and adults service.

A referral to mental health services won't affect employability unless there is some engagement with the criminal justice system. You may have to disclose health conditions to occupational health but this is held on confidence and shouldn't affect employability under the Equality Act.

I've been sectioned twice and have a clean enhanced DBS and work in a hospital.

In my experience private clinics will want a CAMHS in the yps locality involved.
And records aren't open to employers.

They can't access them but they sometimes ask for info about any health conditions. You don't have to give permission for this.

In every job I've ever done I've been asked for consent to write to my GP but am not aware they ever have. I've worked in public, private and charity sectors.

Ok many thanks.
I work in education and it was always something that was on my application forms .
No idea about law.
Exactly, why on earth via CAHMS?

Yes, that was the case in my previous job. There was an all age eating disorder services which rarely seemed to accept referrals from CAHMS so we had to manage them .

I think you’re a bit confused. It’s very unusual for employers to ‘access medical records’ but some jobs may involve a health questionnaire that may lead to an occupational health referral to go into things in more detail.

Leaving her condition untreated will be far more of a risk to her future prospects.

Don’t let this line of thinking stop you from getting your daughter the support she needs.
she won’t be fit for any job is she can’t find a healthier way to deal with stress and anxiety.

if you have the means do go privately so that she is seen with haste, but not because of a concern about concealing her records

best wishes to her.

Thank you for the good advice. That's put our minds at ease
The hospital want to schedule a session soon so going private on that basis wouldn't be necessary