Agenda item

To receive an update on the CAMHS Transformation Plan.

Catherine Swaile, the Vulnerable Children and Young People’s Joint Commissioning Manager, reported on progress with the transformation of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) within the borough.  She reported that the Transformation Plan had recently been updated to take into account work that had been completed since the original plan had been approved.

She stated that CAMHS incorporated a wide range of emotional well being services.  These included the new Choices service, work with the Council’s Early Help services and psychological support for parents.  The main service base was at Burgoyne Road.  Although there was on outreach team based on the St. Ann’s site, there was no in patient CAMHS provision there.  There was also a pilot GP service within the borough as well as counselling and psychotherapy that was delivered by Open Door in Crouch End and Tottenham.  There was emergency provision at the North Middlesex and Whittington Hospitals, although this was not available at weekends.  In patient services were provided by the Beacons in Edgware as well as Simmons House in Muswell Hill.  Schools also provided some support themselves.

CAMHS generally dealt with young people up to the age of 18.  However, some services could work with older children if necessary, for example Open Door and the Tavistock and Portman Trust. Consideration was being given to varying the contract with Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust so that there was greater flexibility in order to assist with the transition by young people from CAMHS to adult mental health services. 

In answer to a question regarding waiting times from referral to assessment, Ms Swaile reported that 46% of children and young people waited between 0 and 4 weeks, 39% waited between 4 and 8 weeks and 9% waited between 8 and 13 weeks.  2% waited more than 26 weeks.  The waiting time for the Choices service was a maximum of 28 days.  However, there was a national drive to focus more strongly on the second appointment as this was generally when treatment commenced.  The average figure for this in Haringey was 71 days.  Average waiting time nationally was currently 11 weeks.  It was acknowledged that this was quite long, especially in terms of the life of a child.

In answer to a question regarding provision for black and minority ethnic (BAME) children and young people, Ms Swaile stated that she was not aware of any evidence that they were following different routes.  CAMHS worked closely with the Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) and, in addition, had identified the fact that provision in the Youth Offending Service was currently insufficient.   In response to this, additional staffing had been allocated to it.  She felt that interventions needed to taka place at an early stage in order to reduce the risk of children and young people entering the youth justice system.   Schools also had a responsibility to provide support. 

Ms Swaile reported that provision for BAME communities had been benchmarked against census data in 2015.  It was found that there was little variance between different ethnic groups.  However, there was under representation amongst children and young people who identified themselves as Black British.  Work was required to improve engagement and NHS trusts also needed to improve their ethnic monitoring.   The Panel noted that Open Door in Tottenham was undertaking specific work to engage with the black community. 

In answer to a question regarding provision of young children at risk of exclusion, Ms Swaile reported that there was currently a pilot project involving 11 schools aimed at improving communication and facilitating early intervention.  In addition, schools could provide direct access to CAMHS services.  In particular, there was support available at the Chestnuts Centre on attachment and trauma.  Provision was either commissioned by schools or the CCG.

In respect of care leavers and looked after children, Ms Swaile reported that they were able to access services until they were 18.  However, a number of services were still open to young people after they had turned 18.  It was acknowledged that there was a gap in provision in the transitionary process to adult services.  Mind had undertaken some work in respect of this but it had now come to an end.

In respect of care leavers and looked after children, Ms Swaile reported that they were able to access services until they were 18.  However, a number of services were still open to young people after they had turned 18.  It was acknowledged that there was a gap in provision in the transitionary process to adult services.  Mind had undertaken some work in respect of this but it had now come to an end. Jon Abbey, the Director of Children’s Services reported that there was a void in provision for young people between the ages of 18 and 21.  There were 429 children who currently fell within this group, which was too big a number to be overlooked.

Ms Swaile reported that the child house model for those who have experienced child sexual assault is now live and it is possible to access a range of services, though not, as yet, in a single location.

The Panel thanked Ms Swaile for her contribution and requested that written responses to the questions from the Panel that it had not been possible to cover in the time available be circulated.

The Panel noted that it had received some evidence as part of its review on disproportionality within the youth justice system that there had been an increase in emotional and behavioural issues reported amongst children in primary schools, which had been referred to in the recommendations.  They requested that an update on progress with this be referred to a future meeting of the Panel.

AGREED:

1.    That a report be submitted to a future meeting of the Panel on CAMHS provision for BAME young people and, in particular, those who come into contact with the youth justice system; and

2.    That a report be submitted to a future meeting of the Panel on action to address the recent increase in emotional and behavioural issues reported amongst children in primary schools, as referred to in the Panel’s review on disproportionality within the youth justice system.