Agenda item

The Revised Future in Mind Transformation Plan (Refresh) is attached for the information of members and will be presented by Stuart McDowell from the Integrated Commissioning Service.

RECOMMENDED that the Future In Mind Transformation Plan (Refresh) be noted.

Stuart McDowell, Senior Project Manager (and CAMHS Commissioner) from the Integrated Commissioning Service, reported on the development of the 'Future in Mind' report and Transformation Plan. He reported that there is £406k p.a. funding over the next 5 years.  He circulated a progress report which was in the form of a recent presentation and the following issues arose during discussion of the 8 priority areas:

Priority 1 - Early help service implementation

Relate had been successful in the tendering process with their consortium bid. Stuart reported that this new self-referral service would be officially launched the following week and this would include advertising of the service in schools. Councillor Vernon-Jackson was concerned by the gap in provision since Off the Record closed in December with the need for confidential counselling for young people and he asked that the Elm Grove provision (as well as the main base at Cosham) receives publicity.

Priority 2 - Communications

It was important to ensure the young people and parents are aware of the services available and how to access these, and they are being involved in the process such as the development of the central website.  Councillor Vernon-Jackson again asked that the Elm Grove service be promoted and he was concerned that the services may not be available at the best times for teenagers.  Alison Jeffery asked that there be liaison to ensure that family support services at PCC are also included with communication about service options.

Priority 3 - Whole Schools Strategy

Sarah Christopher, a SENCO lead, had been recruited to develop this strategy and to look at capacities at schools in the city and the demand for specialist CAHMS services.  Dr Horsley asked if mapping was also taking place regarding preventative work and resilience.

Alison Jeffery said that while schools made their own decisions about how best to prevent problems and promote resilience, the Children's Services Department was strongly championing the strategy within the newly formed Portsmouth Education Partnership. Resilience was seen as a key factor in promoting better attainment and would be included within a new education strategy for the city. A key element of the emotional well-being strategy was the promotion of restorative practice within schools, as an approach for resolving conflicts.[1]

Priority 4 - Implementation of Specialist Perinatal Support Service

This regional support was for all ages of mothers, and a successful bid had brought in extra funding to this area which had previously been a gap in support.  This would be delivered by Southern Health running from March. Alison Jeffery stressed the need for a joined up approach with midwifery and health visiting services.

Priority 5 - CYP IAPT

This work was for the collaborative training and upskilling of the CAMHS workforce.  There would be liaison with the service in Oxford. It was also reported that there had been recent changes at senior management level in CAMHS which had delayed progress.  Alison Jeffery suggested that within the resource constraints it would  be very helpful  if some workers from family support services could be included in the programme as they could beneficially deliver low level CBT interventions with family members, A whole family approach was very important in addressing mental health issues for children and young people.

Priority 6 - Acute Self Harm Pathway review

A clinical tool for hospital use was being considered and analysed to help identify whether or not young people need to be admitted or instead receive support in the community. There was also work taking place to educate the workforce regarding self-harm.

Dr Horsley explained the need for psychiatric assessments for admissions and therefore the dependency on a timely assessment process. Peter Mellor also commented on the unsuitability of the hospital setting for mental health patients but alternative placements and services may not be available. Alison Jeffery also stressed the importance of staff in acute settings sharing information with the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) so that young people in need of a swift safeguarding response could receive it.

Priority 7 - Review Transition Arrangements from CAMHS to Adulthood

It had been found that only a small number of young people transfer from CAMHS to adult mental health services.  The transitional experience was being reviewed as well as the protocols.

Priority 8 - Involving Young People & Families in decision making and design/delivery of CYP MH services

Young people and parents were being encouraged to be involved in decision making and the design of services/products, as seen with the communications strategy.  Healthwatch Portsmouth were keen to be involved.

The website was being expanded and the future use of online counselling was being explored. In answer to a question about the involvement of young people in the recent tender exercise for the early help service, Stuart said that they had been involved in the design of  the specification but not directly in the procurement decision.

RESOLVED that the Future in Mind Transformation Plan (Refresh) be noted.