Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee
Agenda Item 23
Subject: Young People’s Mental Health Services
Date of meeting: 26 January 2022
Report of: Executive Lead, Strategy, Governance & Law
Contact Officer: Name: Giles Rossington
Tel: 01273 295514
Email: giles.rossington@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Ward(s) affected: All
1.1 The commissioners and providers of mental health services for young people have been asked to present an update at the 26 January 2022 HOSC meeting. This is within the context of addition pressures caused or exacerbated by the Covid pandemic. The update also addresses specific concerns about Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) for young people with autism.
2.1 That Committee notes the information contained in this report.
3.1 The mental health and emotional wellbeing of children and young people is an important service area and one of both national and local concern. In October 2020, the HOSC received a presentation on Foundations for Our Future: the Sussex-wide Review of Young People’s Emotional Health & Wellbeing Services. Steve Appleton, the independent Chair of the review, told the HOSC that, when the Review’s findings were implemented, he hoped to see:
· A reduction in waiting times for young people services
· A wider range of support services being commissioned
· More outcomes-focused commissioning
· A broader focus on services to support young people’s mental health (rather than a narrow focus on mental health).
3.1.2 At the time of the HOSC item, a programme to implement the review findings was still being developed.
3.2 In February 2021, the HOSC received a joint presentation from Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SPFT) and from CCG Mental Health commissioners on how services were coping in the Covid pandemic. Issues relating to young people identified in this presentation included:
· A surge in demand for services from children and young people
· A particular increase in young people presenting with eating disorders or with ADHD/autism
· Additional funding for services for neuro-diverse young people
· Concerns about the long-term impact of the pandemic on the mental health of young people.
3.3 In November 2021, the HOSC received a Member Question from Cllr Grimshaw regarding a formal complaint about CAMHS provision for young people with autism that had been made by mASCot, a parent-led group, supporting young people with autism. The HOSC Chair asked SPFT and commissioners to include information about their response to this complaint in their presentation to the January 2022 HOSC.
4.1 Not relevant for this report to note.
5.1 None undertaken with regard to this report.
6.1 Members are asked to note the contents of this report and to reflect on how the issues and priorities identified in the report could inform the development of a HOSC work programme.
7.1 None for this report to note
8.1 There are no legal implications for this report to note
Name of lawyer consulted: Elizabeth Culbert Date consulted 29/12/21
9.1 None directly for this report to note.
10.1 None directly for this report to note
Supporting Documentation
None