Agenda item

The Panel received a report which provided an update on work to support the mental health and mental wellbeing of children and young people in Haringey, in the context of the post-pandemic period which was characterised by increasing complexity and demand for mental health services. The report was introduced by Caroline Brian, AD Commissioning & Programmes & Dionne Thomas, AD Safeguarding and Social Care as set out in the agenda pack at pages 25-43.  The following people were also present for, and took part in, this agenda item: Colin McKenzie, Commissioning Project Manager (LBH); Tim Miller, AD Place, integration, Transformation & Delivery for NCL Integrated Care Board (NHS); Michelle Guimarin - NHS North Central London ICB; Penny Mitchell, Director of Population Health Commissioning for NCL Integrated Care Board (ICB); and Clive Blackwood – Head of CYPMHS at North London Foundation NHS Trust. The following arose as part of the discussion of this item:

a.    The Panel sought clarification over the term neurodiversity, in response NHS colleagues advised that this related to a variety of challenges faced by young people from conditions such as ADHD or autism. It was explained that this could impact the child’s ability to socialise and could also impact the wider family.

b.    In response to a question, officers advised that emotional wellbeing was a journey for young people and that various events in a young person’s life, such as bereavement or separation, could have a cumulative impact on their emotional wellbeing and could impact their ability to regulate the world around them. NHS colleagues set out that there were a number of support services available to young people to help them work through the challenges they may face.

c.    In relation to the Parent Psychology Service, the Panel queried whether mental health services were offered to new mothers. In response, the AD for Early Help, Prevention & SEND advised that this would be provided through family hubs and they would commission perinatal services that would support the mother through pregnancy and early motherhood. NHS colleagues advised that they were working closely with the Early Help service to target perinatal services and that there was a broad level of support available in this field across Haringey.

d.    The chair of SEND Power queried the extent to which services were operating holistically, and raised concerns about a lack of CAMHS appointments and those appointments being cancelled at little or no notice. It was emphasised a shortage of services in this area had a big impact on families. In response it was noted that there was more than one provider referred to in the report, but that North London NHS Trust was the primary provider of CAMHS in Haringey. NHS colleagues advised that they were working through the ICB to improve services and bring them up to the national standard. The service levels were outlined as no child should wait longer than four weeks for their first contact. Performance on this metric was at 64%. It was acknowledged that this needed to improve, particularly as treatment for children was due to be started within eight weeks. It was set out that the longest waiting times were for ADHD services and that the waiting time for this was up to 14 months.

e.    The Head of CYPMHS at North London Foundation NHS Trust advised that the Trust was working with the ICB to bring in additional resources to Haringey CAHMS at the St Ann’s site and that this had seen additional staffing resources put in and weekend clinics for CAMHS offered. In relation to accessing services when in crisis, the Panel was advised that a range of interim support measures were in place whilst people waited for treatment, including wellbeing calls and hosting online groups. Officers advised that the service was conducting a review of existing contracts and pathways in order to redirect and refocus the services it commissioned, in order to focus on early intervention and prevention.

f.     SEND Power impressed on the Panel how distressing some of the stories they had heard from their peer group about their own children being in crisis and unable to access mental health service. Attendees acknowledged the impact on children and young people and emphasised that the historical lack of service provision in this area was being tackled and that the right governance arrangements were in place for partners to move forward collectively.

g.    In relation to under-funding in this area, NHS colleagues advised that they would like to see more funding in the system as the demand had increased above any additional funding that had been secured. It was noted that through the ICB’s Inequality Fund, targeted work had been done in pockets of the east of the borough with high levels of historic deprivation. This has been done in partnership with Open Door. NHS colleagues set out that there had been a 67% increase in CAMHS cases in the last year. The ICB recognised that there needed to be an equitable offer for all children and adults in Haringey around access to mental health services and that there was a recognition that there had been historical underfunding in these services in some parts of the region. Assurances were provided to the Panel that work was being done to address this historical underfunding.

h.    The Panel requested a further update on Children’s mental health outcomes come to the Panel in a years’ time. (Action: Philip).

RESOLVED

Noted