Strategy to improve care for Staffordshire youngsters

Experts say there needs to be better access to help and support, particularly with eating disorders and self harm.

An emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people strategy has been developed on behalf of Staffordshire County Council, and North and South Staffordshire Clinical Commissioning Groups, and sets out priorities for the next three years with an aim to improving health and wellbeing in the county.

It has been put together taking into consideration the views of children, young people and their parents and carers and identifies six priority areas that need to be developed to ensure easy access to services.

It is estimated 11,940 children in the county are vulnerable to mental health difficulties and 3,155 children have moderate to severe mental health needs and require help, but significantly less are seeking help, according to a report to Staffordshire County Council.

Councillor Mike Lawrence, cabinet member for children at Staffordshire County Council, said: "The health and wellbeing of our children and young people is one of our key priorities and this work means we can support those individuals with emotional wellbeing or mental health difficulties.

"It's vital that support and services are in place to meet the needs of young people at the right place and at the right time and this work will allow us to do that. Working with our partners we are also putting more of an emphasis on early intervention to make sure we offer help as soon as children and their families need it

"We have support already in place for those experiencing early difficulties and a website at www.upsideonline.co.uk which offers advice and access to live chats for parents who are worried about their children."

The report says that research at least one in four people will experience a mental health problem in their lifetime and half of those with lifetime mental health difficulties experience symptoms by the age of 14.

It said that one in 10 children under 16 have a mental health difficulty, and that self-harming in young people is becoming more common.

According to the report, there was an increase in hospital admissions of under 18's for self harm in Staffordshire during 2009-2012, compared to 2006-2009.

The report said: "Our consultations with stakeholders indicate that the increase in self harming behaviour is a primary concern; therefore it is important that this, alongside the national data is a need that is considered within the strategy."

The report also states that national research suggests that eating disorders are on the rise.

It adds: "It is important that we consider this locally, and begin to understand the data we have to support pathway developments for those children and young people with eating disorder."

Priorities which will be looked at include strengthening partnerships across health, social care and education, offering more support to schools and using modern technology for providing information and advice.

An implementation plan is due to be drawn up to put the proposals into action and will be reviewed by Staffordshire's Clinical Commissioning Groups and Staffordshire County Council.