Previous reference: Minute 25 (2015/16)

The Deputy Director (Children’s Social Care) will submit a report    (Document “O”) which updates the Panel in respect of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) Psychological Assessment and Therapy Team for Looked After and Adopted Children.

Recommended –

That Document “O” be noted.

                                                                        (Jennifer Robb – 07701 284392)

Previous reference: Minute 25 (2015/16)

The Deputy Director (Children’s Social Care) submitted a report which updated the Panel in respect of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) Psychological Assessment and Therapy Team for Looked After and Adopted Children (LAAC) (Document “O”).

The CAMHS Clinical Lead for the Looked After and Adopted Children Team explained that:

·         All looked after children, adopted children or children being cared for under a Special Guardianship Order now came within the remit of this specialist team.

·         A Consultation Clinic was available to all professionals and carers working with these children and young people. Work was also being undertaken with the Residential Homes and directly with young people and their carers.

·         The level of need meant that resources were stretched but the Team was working closely with partners in Children’s Social Care.

·         There was a wish to work towards there being more service user participation which would help in the future development of the service.

·         Once fully staffed, the next stage was to identify any gaps in the Team’s skill base and to work on individual development plans to address them.

She responded to Members’ questions:

·         Various studies suggested that between 45 and 72% of LAAC were likely to have some sort of emotional or mental wellbeing need.

·         Most available appointments had been allocated and the current waiting time was approximately one month.  If the waiting time increased further the situation would be reviewed.

·         It was likely that the expertise of the various professionals working with LAAC could be augmented through the use of the services provided by the Team.  This could assist them in helping young people with these issues and the evidence suggested that DDP (Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy) could work very well. However the individual consultations allowed space for the particular circumstances and specific needs of the child/young person to be considered and assessed which was a very important part of the process.

·         The number of cancellations had been relatively high for the first two months of the clinic being in operation as participants had been getting used to how the service operated; this had now reduced significantly.

·         The Service covered the full age range and was accessed by children of all ages.

·         When working directly with a young person there would usually be a link made with the relevant school/education provider.

·         The aim was to provide the service in the right setting for the individual concerned so that the environment or location was not a barrier to receiving the right support.

The Deputy Director said that it was hoped to recruit two additional clinical psychologists to work with the Residential Homes as part of the Department of Education Innovation Fund Programme. He stressed that the aim was to complement, not duplicate, the service already being provided.

The Children in Care Council (CICC) Co-optee suggested that their members could assist in terms of feedback on the Service; the CICC represented Bradford children from all different backgrounds.

The Chair welcomed the informative report and it was suggested that an update be provided to the Panel during the next municipal year.

Resolved –

(1)       That the contents of Document “O” be noted and welcomed and that a progress report be submitted to the Panel within the next Municipal Year.

(2)       That the Deputy Director (Children’s Social Care) be asked to consult the Children in Care Council to allow their views to be taken into account in the on-going development of the Health and Emotional Wellbeing Service for Looked After and Adopted Young People.

ACTION:       Deputy Director (Children’s Social Care)