Issue - items at meetings - CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) Commissioning and Service Development

Report of the Director of Children’s Services (copy attached).

1.       That the model of service for 14-25 year olds with mental health needs be agreed.

2.       That the progress on the Targeted Mental Health in Schools DCSF Pathfinder Project be noted.

32.1    The Board considered a report of the Director if Children’s Services concerning the Child and Adolescent Mental health Service Commissioning and Service Developments, which updated the Board on the Targeted Mental Health in Schools DCSF Pathfinder Project and proposed service developments for 14-25 year olds CAMHS service (for copy see minutes book). 

32.2    The Commissioning and Partnership Manager indicated that the consultation with young people had demonstrated that young people were supportive of this project. She explained that the proposals would not only bring services to where the young people were, but they would also facilitate integrated services and make mental health workers become more approachable to young people. She also clarified that this process would not diminish or cancel GP referrals.

32.3    Members noted that domestic violence had an impact on young people’s mental health. They were concerned that this matter had not been included in the report. The Commissioning and Partnership Manager explained that the link to domestic violence was still in the early stages of mental health in schools and young children. She accepted, however, that there was an opportunity within the proposal to look at this issue more closely.

32.4    Members sought clarification on what would be the profile of the mental health worker, who they were and how they would be supported. The Commissioning and Partnership Manager explained that the mental health worker’s role was being developed, and officers would draw upon the role of psychotherapists as a starting point in developing and determining their role. 

32.5    The Board welcomed the report and congratulated the team of officers involved with producing it and doing the work. The Board welcomed even further the recognition of families’ involvement in the process and stressed the importance of engaging with the young people service users across the process. The Commissioning and Partnership Manager reassured members that officers would be engaging with everyone dealing with these customers, and not only mental health workers, in order to deliver success.

32.6    RESOLVED – That, having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the Board accepted the following recommendations:

(1)      That the model of service for 14-25 year olds with mental health needs be agreed.

(2)      That the progress on the Targeted Mental Health in Schools DCSF Pathfinder Project be noted.