Issue - meetings

This report provides an update on the mental health services for children and young people in Bath and North East Somerset, an update on commissioning and strategic progress and a request for further support from the Local Authority to continue to prioritize mental health services for children and young people in Bath and North East Somerset.

Becky Proctor, CAMHS Participation Group addressed the Panel. She explained that she had been involved in the group for eight years and had worked on website development and resources for schools.

She informed the Panel that she had worked on topics such as reducing stigma, supporting friends, self-care and in and out of school support. She added that scenario packs and comics have been produced in relation to these topics. She said that all of the resources have been really well received.

Councillor Peter Turner asked if she had seen an increase in the need of such resources since her involvement in the group.

Becky replied that she felt that there were huge pressures young people these days and that they were more aware of the issue as a whole.

The PSHE & Drug Education Co-ordinator added that the SHEU survey showed that the main causes of stress were exams and social media (body image).

Councillor Liz Hardman commented that the resources that have been produced are fantastic.

The PSHE & Drug Education Co-ordinator said that they were a brilliant piece of work and used throughout schools. She added that they were also available online.

Councillor Tim Ball commented that there is a lack of support and literature for ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and children with mental health issues were not always comfortable with expressing their ideas. He added that the diagnosis of ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) can take up to twelve months

Becky Proctor replied that when making the resources a wide range of people were consulted. She added that work was currently being done on different aspects of mental health.

Jake Bishop-Ponte added that the resources are also seen as a way of identifying children who might need help.

The Senior Commissioning Manager for Specialist Services added that there are 2 services that generally consider diagnoses - Community Paediatricians and the CAMHS service. The concerns raised around ADHD literature were acknowledged. She also recommended visiting the Young Minds website (http://www.youngminds.org.uk/) for further information.

The Senior Commissioning Manager for Specialist Services introduced the report to the Panel. She explained that in August 2015 NHS England announced additional funding and guidance to implement the Future in Mind report’s recommendations to improve CAMHS services. She said that to “draw down” these funds, each CCG was required to submit an agreed CAMHS Transformation Plan by October 2015. 

She stated that from April 2015 a number of developments to support the transformation plan began, including:

Pilot - Extended CAMHS support: for > 18 y/o’s who were receiving CAMHS interventions when they turned 18 and, although they are particularly vulnerable; do not meet the referral criteria for adult mental health services.  This cohort will include, but is not restricted to, Care Leavers and will provide intensive emotional support.

Pilot - School Based Counselling:  Independent counsellors have been commissioned to provide individual ‘drop in’ advice sessions and formal counselling sessions at seven secondary schools from September. 

Pilot -  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23