Agenda item

Karen Watson, Acting Designated Nurse for Safeguarding and Looked After Children, presented the Annual Health Report 2018 – 2019 which provided information on the health profile of looked after children and young people. 

The report focused on service developments and improvements aligned with the key lines of enquiry set out in the Local Government Association’s corporate parenting resource packs for looked after children and care leavers (for copy of report see file of minutes).

The panel welcomed Gillian Leckenby, Service Manager of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) who explained that the service had experienced a 20% increase in referrals over the year with a 28% increase in November.  As this was the third consecutive year that there had been an increase in November, the service is planning to carry out work to investigate this.  The Service Manager explained that new Government funding has been made available for a Trailblazer scheme between schools and CAMHS to offer support and treatment within schools, in order that those in need of more specialist services can be identified at an early stage.  The Head of Children’s Social Care commented that this may be an area that the panel may wish to have more information on in the future.

Panel members and the young people present were given the opportunity to ask health questions and raise specific issues in relation to mental health.

Resolved:

That the recommendations in the report be approved.