Agenda item

Purpose: To consider reports on the approach to the emotional wellbeing and mental health of young people in West Berkshire.

Jody Gordon (Emotional Health Academy (EHA) Manager & Primary Mental Health Worker) and Kate Pike (Senior Educational Psychologist, Acting Mental Health Lead and Manager of Mental Health Support Team (MHST)) presented the report on Emotional Health and Wellbeing for Children and Young People in West Berkshire.

Sarah Webster (Executive Place Director Berkshire West, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB)) advised that they were unable to provide a detailed report on the Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) but would provide one at a future date.

The following points were raised in the discussion:

·         It was noted that there were many organisations and partners involved in the process and queried whether there was potential for people to fall down the cracks. It was advised that the EHA and MHST were based in schools and had good relationships with staff. They ran regular assemblies and parent workshops. They were working to demystify the system as it took time to understand. The complex system was necessary to cover a range of needs, professionals and clinicians but they were working towards it not feeling that way for service users.

·         It was confirmed that every school in West Berkshire could access the EHA triage service. This included primary, secondary and academies. The EHA triage service was the first place that would advise and guide any query. The MHST were in a number of specific schools. The EHA worked with others and together they covered all schools in West Berkshire. There were subtle differences in the services provided, but every school could access support. In addition, the EHA provided a traded service which schools could pay for if it had available funds. There were capacity limitations to this service. 

·         All schools should also have a senior mental health lead who were encouraged to take part in training. In March 2024 they would be holding a senior mental health lead conference where different services would be attending, and colleagues could network.

·         It was highlighted that the nationally funded programme of MHST was to cover 35% of schools. This was being exceeded in West Berkshire with 50% of schools included. The MHST was reliant on national funding and the ICB were working closely with West Berkshire Council.

·         It was noted that CAMHS were overwhelmed with demand and had two year waiting lists for their services. Funding for education and health was welcomed. The MHST funding came from the Green Paper for early identification and prevention and the understanding was that was there to stay.

·         The reasons that referrals were closed was discussed. It was clarified that some people did not engage by not responding to communication or by dropping out. The EHA and MHST would try to understand the reasons for this and there was a re-referral process to encourage young people to come back when appropriate. The MHST met with the senior mental health lead at schools every half term. Some families may not be ready for the support, but they would keep in touch.

·         No specific negative feedback had been received by the EHA or the MHST. When concerns were raised it would normally be about waiting times.

·         It was noted that the Berkshire Youth Survey had a very high response rate and that young people were open to engagement regarding mental health. Mental health was a conversation in schools. Some schools had mental health ambassadors and the pupil voice was incorporated into all the MHST and EHA did.

·         The impacts of Covid were discussed. Since that time there had been increases in emotion-based school avoidance. Neurodivergence added extra complexity to this.

·         A public question was raised regarding the support available for children and young people waiting for CAMHS for a long time. It was advised that support was available from an early help perspective. There were interventions in schools, support to train staff and the EHA and MHST worked with parents. The diagnosis was not necessary for the support.

·         Young people awaiting ADHD or autism assessments were highlighted as in need of support whilst awaiting diagnosis. From a Local Authority perspective there was an Autism advisory team and professionals to support parents. The ICB advised there was a spectrum of services available on the Neurodiversity pathway provided by BHFT. There were excellent services, but they were struggling with the increase in demand. There had been a 40% increase in referrals from summer 2022 to summer 2023. There was a 14% increase in service activity but this was not enough. This was high on the agenda to reduce the waiting time.

·         The SAFE project was a Thames Valley wide service providing specific support for children affected by crime, bullying and child on parent violence.

Action:  Kate Pike to share the full service user report with Members.

·         It was highlighted that the MHST and EHA performed well in West Berkshire. This was partly due to the teams sitting within education and working well with schools.

·         The EHA worked with the voluntary sector such as Berkshire Youth, but had looked at ways to increase their presence with that sector. An EHA worker attended weekly sessions with Berkshire Youth and liaised with the Berkshire Youth manager. They were very good at facilitating young people accessing mental health support. It was noted that Berkshire Youth outreach workers were good at seeking out harder to reach young people. The Waterside Centre was a safe place for those conversations.

·         The EHA and MHST were having conversations with families around the impacts of cost of living challenges. For example, concerns around finances were impacting on sessions and the dynamics of families.

·         The MHST and schools supported a peer mentor programme where mentors were trained and supervised.

·         It was advised that it was difficult to find equivalent services in adult mental health when young people were transitioning to adult mental health support. Talking therapies and online support was discussed. Education, employment and training for young adults would also have scope to offer support. BHFT were looking at how to improve a smooth transition to adult mental health support. Time to Talk supported 11 to 25 year olds and were well equipped to support young adults.