Agenda item

To consider developments within the Haringey CAMHS Transformation Programme, particularly Haringey’s national Trailblazer status.

Charlotte Pomery, Assistant Director for Commissioning, reported that the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) transformation programme had been developed following a review that had been undertaken in 2015.  There were a number of risk factors, which included neglect and adverse childhood experiences.  Access to services was being improved but there were disproportionate numbers of referrals between the east and west of the borough and from Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities.  The review had identified a lack of early intervention and key partners had been working together to address the issue.

She reported that £1 million in additional funding had been obtained through the successful Trailblazer bid.  This would be used to develop early intervention services in non-stigmatising settings and, in particular, schools in order to improve access.  Work was also being undertaken to reduce waiting times for services, with a 4 week target.  In addition, a successful application had also been made for inclusion in the Schools Link programme.   Work was also being done to develop a different strategic structure for CAMHS.  This involved moving from the current tiered structure to the “I Thrive” model of service.  Further developmental work was needed on services for children and young people with autism and a learning disability and also to address waiting times.

Panel Members welcomed the developments and commented that it was important that they were communicated to school governors.  In answer to question, Ms Pomery stated that the Trailblazer programme had emerged out of a government Green Paper.  It was envisaged that the pilot project would eventually lead to a wider roll out programme.  The learning from the pilot in schools in the east of the borough would be used to develop services elsewhere.  In respect of the transition process to adult services, work was being undertaken to improve the process.   The issue had also been referred to in the NHS long term plan. The Panel noted that a special joint meeting of the Panel with the Adults and Health Panel on transition had taken place in March and a further one was planned.

In answer to a question regarding the low percentage of young people who sought help from services, Ms Pomery felt that this was due to a range of issues.  These included lack of awareness of mental health issues, lack of knowledge of access routes into services and the stigma associated with mental health in some communities.  The long waiting times for services that there had been until recently had also acted as a deterrent.

Concerns were raised that the involvement of Bruce Grove Youth Centre in the More than Mentors programme to improve transition from primary to secondary school could act as a deterrent for children from other post code areas.  Ms Pomery agreed to look into this issue and report back. 

She reported that it was known from the Alternative Provision review and anecdotally that mental health was a significant issue in schools and gaps in support had been identified.  Impact and activity data would be collected as part of the evaluation of the Trailblazer project in order to measure its effectiveness.  This could be shared with the Panel.  The Schools Link programme was aimed at raising awareness of mental health issues and understanding pathways. 

AGREED:

1.    That the Assistant Director for Commissioning be requested to provide further detail on how any “post code” issues could potentially impact on the “More Than Mentors” initiative; and

2.    That the evaluation of the Trailblazer scheme, including impact and delivery data, be shared with the Panel.