Agenda item

Julia Cramp, Associate Director Wiltshire Council/CCG, will present an update on the development of the Children’s Emotional Health and Wellbeing Strategy and the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service in Wiltshire.

Julia Cramp, Associate Director Wiltshire Council/CCG presented the Children’s Mental health report which included details on the Children’s Emotional Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2014-17 and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service in Wiltshire.

The strategy had been produced by the Children’s Trust Commissioning Executive in line with the Children’s Trust’s Commissioning Framework and extensive consultation had been undertaken to seek the views of children and young people on key issues.  Feedback had included:

·         Better mental health education in schools for both children and adults help recognise the signs as early as possible;

·         Better e-safety education to address cyber bullying; and

·         Helping to build young people’s self esteem and confidence

The consultation had sought the views of staff working with young people and priorities for action had been proposed which included promoting Youth Mental Health First Aid Training for adults and youth.  Four sessions a year currently took place and were run by education psychologists to help participants recognise the signs of mental health illness in young people.

Other priorities identified following initial discussions were:

·         Promote positive mental health and build resilience in children and young people;

·         Build capacity and knowledge of mental health issues in the children’s workforce;

·         Improve access to primary and specialist child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS); and

·         Ensure effective access, referral routes and pathways to services (including to adult services).

The draft strategy was currently out for consultation.  Further details could be found via the ‘Pathways’ website:

http://www.wiltshirepathways.org/GenPage.asp?ID=55

Following completion of the consultation an action plan would be developed and, once approved, would be overseen by the multi-agency Emotional Wellbeing and Mental health Group, a sub-group of the Children’s Trust.

The Voice and Influence team based within the Council would be looking into the safeguarding of young people in relation to social media, noting the concerns raised by young people in relation cyber bullying.

The ‘Little Book’ providing emotional wellbeing and mental health support for young people was highlighted as a useful tool to help support young people.  This was available via GP practises but could also be found on-line via the following link:

http://www.wiltshirepathways.org/UploadedFiles/Wiltshire_Little_Book_Jan13.pdf

Laura Mayes, the Cabinet member for Children’s Services, highlighted the importance of providing appropriate out of hours support for young people, noting the increase in suicide and self harm figures over the weekend period.  YoungMinds was referenced as the UK’s leading charity committed to improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of young people and should be signposted as a source of support.

The benefits of early intervention were highlighted and the Board welcomed the recognition of this within the draft strategy.

A mental health charter had also been produced which it was hoped all schools within Wiltshire would sign up to by the end of the year to help provide greater support to young people.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service

In April 2010 a new contract had been approved for child and mental health services resulting in significant changes to the service such as:

·         24 hour access

·         Outreach service (OSCAR)

·         Specialist learning disability service

·         Family assessment and safeguarding service

Although a good model of service was already in place it was recognised that accessibility needed improvement.  As a result analysis of all referrals made in April and May was currently underway to help identify where improvements could be made.

The transition process from children to adult services was also being audited to understand the pathway taken.

Details of the pathway and the findings of the analysis work would be presented to the Board once available.