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

Report of Director of Children’s Services and Director of Adult Social Care & Housing (copy attached).

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

31.1    The Board considered a report of the Director of Children’s Services and the Director of Adult Social Care & Housing concerning proposed service development for 14-25 year olds, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (for copy see minute book).

31.2    The Commissioning & Partnership Manager reported that a national CAMHS review had been published on 18 November 2008.  Many authorities struggled with the transition from CAMHS services to adult services.  The proposals addressed these issues.  At the heart of the proposals was an additional resource of 5 young peoples mental health workers, based in youth hubs in the city (Blatchington Road, Ship Street and the 67 Centre).  This would ensure young people could access a whole range of support. 

31.3    John Dearlove asked about the current arrangements; why would the new service centres make it quicker to access services and how many people were aware of the centres?  The Commissioning & Partnership Manager reported that at the moment young people were referred within 13 weeks.  Young people did not find it easy to use normal referral routes.  They were not accessible or easy to use.    The service centres would have young people’s mental health workers working alongside colleagues.  Officers would be publicising the service centres. 

31.4    Denise Stokoe asked how officers could ensure equity in the service.  There was a danger that there would be a two tier service.  The Commissioning & Partnership Manager explained that if a young person presented at a GP’s surgery, officers would not want to stop that option.  Once the referral was made, it would be passed to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service.  The young people’s mental health worker would take on the referral and provide individual support.  It was emphasised that the 5 mental health workers could not carry the work load of all the young people.  They would need to ensure that young people were linked to the appropriate services.  

31.5    Richard Ford stressed that it was crucial to develop a more systematic way of working.  Teenagers and young adults currently received poor access to services.  He was encouraged by the proposals.  

31.6    The Commissioning & Partnership Manager reported that there was a need to measure outcomes for young people.  There had been a response from young people about how they feel about the service now.  This should be compared with how they feel about the service in a year’s time. 

31.7    The Chairman requested an update in due course, in order for the Board to judge the success of the proposals.    

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