<p>For insomnia in childhood and adolescence, as in adults, cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is the first choice; however, it is not readily available for families, children and adolescents. The stepped care model for childhood and adolescence (SCM-CA) is a step-by-step model for the linked and evidence-based care of children and adolescents with insomnia. The SCM-CA takes into consideration the various age groups and represents a prevention and intervention pyramid based on the concept of healthy sleep and CBT‑I for children and adolescents, and gradually increases in clinical intensity and complexity. This should reduce diagnostic and therapeutic treatment gaps so that not only more families can be reached but the clinical resources can also be allocated more effectively. To ensure that the SCM-CA can be implemented appropriately, age-specific diagnostic instruments and knowledge should be disseminated and only evidence-based CBT‑I treatments for childhood and adolescence should be promoted within the scope of the model. The clinicians participating within the framework of the SCM-CA should be qualified to be able to carry out CBT in childhood and adolescence (CBT-CA), and have appropriate training. Professionals involved in prevention programmes or early inventions that are not part the treatment spectrum (CBT) of the SCM-CA more specifically but are related to it should also have good diagnostic and differential diagnostic knowledge to ensure correct referral or redirection to the appropriate intervention options.</p>