Agenda item - An update and review of Foundation for our Future

Report of the Executive Director Families Children & Learning (copy attached)

RESOLVED: That the Committee noted the work being undertaken in regard to Children’s mental Health under Foundations for Our Future.

36.1    The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director Families, Children & Learning which provided an update on the work of Foundation For our Futures and the progress made in Brighton and Hove on the objectives. The report was introduced by the Assistant Director for Safeguarding & Care and by Ms S Button, Programme Director for Foundations for Our Future. Ms Button spoke on the review and the recommendations which came from that.

36.2    Cllr O’Quinn noted that a number of different organisations were involved in this and asked who would have overall scrutiny. The Assistant Director said that each organisation had its own Emotional Health & Wellbeing Board which looked at the work at a local level, there was also the Operational Board which looked at how things were being delivered across the Sussex area, there was the Executive Board which was chaired by the DCS of West Sussex, and within Brighton & Hove there was the Children & Young Peoples Health Oversight Board. Cllr O’Quinn referred to recommendation 12 and noted that there was currently a delay in young people being able to access the service and hoped that this would be one of the issues which was looked at and the service improved. The Assistant Director said that the level of demand was being looked at by CAMHS, but there was currently a shortage of staff which was being addressed. Cllr O’Quinn referred to recommendation 13 and asked how effective the Mental Health Support Teams in schools had been. The Assistant Director, Health, SEN & Disability said that work was being undertaken in schools, both primary and secondary, and the Council were working with the CCG and Public Health. Things were going well, but there was more work to be undertaken such as work around the triage system, and the Council were working with colleagues to address any gaps.

36.3    Cllr Lloyd asked if a young person would be appointed as Co-Chair of the Oversight Board and how they would be recruited. Ms Button said that expressions of interest and a description of the role had been sent to young people, and a young person had recently been appointed and would Co-Chair the next meeting of the Board.

36.4    Cllr Brown was concerned with the delay in accessing the services of CAMHS and said that this needed to be monitored closely by the Health & Welbeing Board. The Executive Director said that there was intensive oversight of this issue and steps to improve the service was set out in the report.

36.5    Cllr Hamilton referred to recommendation 18 and noted that no review or audit of EWB or targeted services outside of SPFT had begun, and asked when it would start. Ms Button said the report was slightly out of date and the review had begun and was expected to be completed in 2023.

36.6    RESOLVED: That the Committee noted the work being undertaken in regard to Children’s mental Health under Foundations for Our Future.