Agenda item

To consider an update on the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Transformation Plan.

9.1       The Chairman introduced the report and welcomed the update which sought to demonstrate how the different programmes pulled together and she emphasised the desire for a more joined-up approach, as existed in the work taking place in mental health for older people.

9.2       Steve Buckerfield (Head of Tri-Borough Children’s Joint Commissioning) then presented the report and began by highlighting the need for the creation of a forum that met regularly to discuss children and young people’s mental needs, as already existed for older people’s health needs. He drew Members’ attention to the achievements of the plan to date as set out in the report, including work with the North West London CCGs. Steve Buckerfield advised that NHS England had agreed to relinquish control of hospital beds on 10 March and the likely outcome would be that a collaboration of CCGs would be able to control bed allocation, which would be beneficial as it would allow for greater flexibility. The North West London collaboration of CCGs were to request that they be amongst the first to take this forward. Steve Buckerfield advised that the mental health transformation plan sought to address the mental health needs of children and young people across Westminster and the other tri-boroughs. He remarked that Westminster currently lacked a lead organisation for young people and mental health from the voluntary sector and he welcomed any attempts to fill this gap. He also stated that consideration could be given as to whether to extend children and young people’s mental health services up to the age of 25. Steve Buckerfield concluded by requesting that the Board support the work being undertaken to transform mental health services for young people.

9.3       During discussion, Members enquired whether the North West London collaboration of CCGs had already approached NHS England about taking control of hospital beds. A Member suggested that a way voluntary organisations could contribute in providing mental health services for children and young people is to take part in mentoring. In respect of the lack of voluntary organisations leading on mental health for children and young people in Westminster, Jackie Rosenberg (Westminster Community Network) stated that many voluntary organisations were unable to afford the rates in the borough. However, there were plenty of voluntary organisations that could be interested in helping to co-design such a service and larger voluntary organisations, such as MIND, may be interested in providing input. Jackie Rosenberg also asked whether there were any plans for services in respect of post-traumatic stress disorder which may in particular affect refugees arriving in Westminster. Liz Bruce welcomed the report and supported the request that the Board support the children and young people’s mental health transformation, however she suggested that more details be discussed before a further report was considered at a future Board meeting.

9.4       Mike Robinson also felt there was merit in the Board continuing to support the transformation plan, however he suggested that there be greater focus on looking at what outcomes and ambitions should be achieved for children and young people. In respect of post traumatic stress disorder, he suggested that this area could be covered by a Joint Strategic Needs Assessment and a response to the Board would be provided.

9.5       In reply to the issues raised, Steve Buckerfield stated that the North West London collaboration of CCGs were already in conversation about taking control of hospital beds and that there would be a financial advantage to CCGs each time a community initiative prevented the need to use beds. It was hoped that voluntary organisations would attend the Young People’s Conference in the summer of 2016.