Agenda item

·  To note the range of provisions available to support the mental health of our careleavers and share thoughts regarding how we continue to improve our offer.

Dr Jenny Taylor provided a presentation to the committee on supporting the mental health of careleavers and the work and actions being undertaken to address. The slides and content of the presentation were included in the report to the committee.

The presentation in summary highlighted:

·  How monitored and who has access to services

·  Who receiving support

·  Access to mental health support for 16- 17-year-olds

·  Access and mental health support for the 18+ age group

·  Ensuring care leavers mental health is being considered a key part of all work and essentially embedded within the service

·  Reference to the complex needs panel and composition

·  Making sure that neurodivergent young people particular strengths and needs are recognised

·  The provision of open access, drop in wellbeing support provision

·  Improving access to more specialist mental health care when required

·  Improving the quality of the specialist mental health support provided

·  Lifelong links use and helping young people to connect with previous links, if requested.

The committee also heard discussion from James Hanley and Okie Adebanjo on the clinical side of work being undertaken to support mental health and understanding the young people.  Reference to work happening with lifelong links and a case study referenced at the meeting of a young person with a failed adoption seeking contact with biological parents and being provided with support by the service to navigate this process and experience. The team attend Speakerbox and have ongoing communication.

Discussion and questions

·  Query relating to unaccompanied asylum seekers and support given, mindful of the trauma and potential language issues. It was explained that staff were fully trained and aware of these challenges, with the skills in place throughout the service.

·  Support and awareness around autism. Dr Jenny Taylor explained that work was being undertaken to get assessments processed quickly. A young person from Speakerbox was able to give insight to his experience also to the committee.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the range of provisions available to support the mental health of our careleavers be noted.

2.  That the officers report back to the next committee on how we are letting people know and advertising the services available for careleavers for mental health.