Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

Verbal update and discussion.

The Chair expressed his gratitude to the Children's Social Care Task Group and welcomed the formal launch of Bright Futures: Getting the Best for Children and Young People.

Cllr Dick Madden, Chair of the Children's Social Care Task Group, introduced Bright Futures: Getting the Best for Children and Young People. Cllr Madden gave thanks to the officers involved in bringing this publication together. Cllr Madden emphasised that all the details and statistics in the report were evidenced based.

Members strongly endorsed the report, and agreed that it presents a powerful vision and message to central government on the actions required to drive sustained improvement across the sector.

Nasima Patel, National Children's Services Adviser, introduced a report setting out our key concerns about the CAMHS reforms, our work programme to help address these issues and an update on the forthcoming green paper. Members were asked to provide early views on areas they would want to focus on to help inform our submission.

In the discussion which followed, Members raised the following points;

·         A concern was raised that there were limited options of partners available to commission outside of CAMHS.

·         A view was expressed that online counselling and Thrive Hubs had proven to be extremely valuable.

·         In response to a concern raised that mental health support for care leavers ceasing as they turn 18 was leading to a range of issues, Nasima explained that continued support until the age of 25 would be beneficial.

·         A view was expressed that Kooth had provided effective support to young people and there had been very positive feedback on this service

·         A concern was raised that children who were home educated did not have access to the necessary mental health support. 

·         Sharp, an anonymous self-support service for young people committing self-harm, was raised as extremely valuable in supporting young people.

·         A concern was raised as to the disparity between how schools refer children to CAMHS.

·         A Member raised a concern about the stress and anxiety caused by exams and how much of an impact this was having on young people’s mental health.

·         A Member brought the Board’s attention to a self-referral service implemented in schools in Rochdale which had been co-designed with young people.

Decision

Members considered and provided comments on the questions raised in sections 7 and 8 of the report.

Actions

Officers to incorporate Members views into work on CAMHS going forward.

Confidential minutes to be circulated separately from the agenda.

Members of the Children and Young People Board agreed the minutes of the previous meeting.