Agenda item

To receive a report from the Head of Democratic Services presenting information surrounding the Future in Mind: Leeds Strategy and Local Transformation Plan (2015-2020), including details of the recently refreshed Plan.

The report of the Head of Democratic Services presented information around the Future in Mind: Leeds Strategy and Local Transformation Plan 2015-2020. It sets the city’s vision, progress and next steps to improve the social, emotional and mental health and wellbeing of children and young people aged 0-25.

In attendance at the meeting were:

·  Councillor Jonathan Pryor – Executive Member for Learning, Skills and Employment

·  Councillor Fiona Venner – Executive Member for Children and Families

·  Steve Walker – Director of Children and Families

·  Sue Rumbold – Chief Officer for Partnerships and Health

·  Saira Mumtaz Jones – Health and Wellbeing Lead

·  Michelle Kane – Health Improvement Principal, Public Health

·  Dr Jane Mischenko – Lead Strategic Commissioner: Children and Maternity Care, NHS Leeds CCG

·  Hannah Beal – CAMHS, Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust

The Board was shown a presentation by Dr Jane Mischenko which provided Members with an overview of the progress that has been made against the 11 priorities set out within the Strategy and Plan. It was highlighted that all the work achieved could not have been undertaken without the assistance of all partners from across the city.

In consideration of the report and presentation, the following key points were raised:

·  The impacts of social media - it was acknowledged that social media was a complex area as increased accessibility to a digital world will have positive benefits in terms of learning and communication opportunities as well as the potential to be harmful, particularly to vulnerable young people. While recognising the need for social media providers to be made more accountable for the content of sites, particular importance was placed upon educating children and parents in the use of social media and making sure children have the resilience, information and power they need to make safe and informed choices about their digital lives.

·  Planned local event involving the Children’s Commissioner – linked to the above, it was noted that the Children’s Commissioner had produced a number of reports regarding children’s exposure to the digital world and that an invitation has been extended to the Commissioner to attend a planned local event themed on this issue in February 2020.

·  Effective transition from child to adult service provision – this was recognised as a challenging area with a need for significant review and transformation, as set out in the NHS Long Term Plan. While acknowledging that this is a key priority within the current Transformation Plan, reference was also made to the developing all-age Leeds Mental Health Strategy and the expressed interest of the Adults, Health and Active Lifestyles Scrutiny Board to continue monitoring progress with the delivery of this new Strategy.

·  CAMHS support - Members were advised that the waiting list for CAMHS had reduced and was now 13.5 weeks.  The Board was also informed about the ongoing work aimed at continuing to reduce this waiting time further and to also intervene early to identify other appropriate alternative support provision.

·  Roll out of the Young People’s Resilience Programme across schools – The Board was particularly pleased to note that the Young People’s Resilience Programme will continue to be rolled out in educational settings to secondary age young people at risk of poor mental health and wellbeing.  In recognising some of the pressures faced by schools, particular emphasis was placed on schools sharing advice and good practice with each other too.

·  The role of MindMate – The Board welcomed that the MindMate Champion Programme will be further embedded into the Healthy Schools programme and particularly recognised the valuable role of the MindMate Ambassadors.

·  MindMate Single Point of Access (SPA) – Through the MindMate SPA team, it was noted that each referral is carefully considered and the team liaises with a range of local health, education, social care services and third sector agencies to ensure that the most appropriate service is identified.

·  Self-referral approach - Since the MindMate SPA introduced self-referrals in October 2018, a total of 511 self-referrals had been received. Whilst taking a self-referral, it was highlighted that the clinician will explain the process and indicate potential time frame for triage. The parent/carer or young person are also offered advice and sign posted to other support i.e. Market Place, Kooth, Teen Connect. This process is well received and often receives positive feedback and comments.

·  Assessments for Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) - Members were advised of the new Neurodevelopmental (ND) Pathway that will group children with both a query around Autism and/or ADHD, in addition to other complex ND needs, into one ND pathway to help shorten waiting times. However, in light of increased service demand and dual running of ‘old and new’ pathways, it was reported that additional funding has been allocated to the service to provide additional capacity for assessments to be undertaken within the ND pathway, notably Autism assessments.

·  Forthcoming SEMH Conferences – The Executive Board Member for Children and Families highlighted that a number of local SEMH conferences were being planned and would welcome Scrutiny Board representation too.

The Chair welcomed the level of work that has been undertaken, as well as the ongoing commitment of all partners, in delivering the key priorities set out within the Future in Mind: Leeds Strategy and Local Transformation Plan.  It was agreed that the Board would maintain a watching brief of progress, with particular interest surrounding crisis support provision and the transitions programme of work. 

In the meantime, it was felt that there would be added value for the Scrutiny Board to further explore how the Council and partners can help children and parents/carers to have the resilience, information and power they need to make safe and informed choices within the existing digital world. The Chair agreed to work with the Principal Scrutiny Adviser and other relevant officers to consider how best to undertake this piece of work during this municipal year.

RESOLVED –

(a)  To note the content and recommendations in the submitted report, including the content of the recently refreshed Future in Mind: Leeds Strategy and Local Transformation Plan (2015-2020)

(b)  That the Chair works with the Principal Scrutiny Adviser and other relevant officers to consider how best to undertake a piece of work this year aimed at helping children and parents/carers to have the resilience, information and power they need to make safe and informed choices within the existing digital world.