Action Plans and copies of presentations are included within papers. 

Microsoft PowerPoint presentations to be provided as follows: 

Action Plan and presentation for objective C1:  Give parents the support they need

Sue Green

Action Plan and presentation for objective C2:  Improve children’s emotional health and wellbeing

Malcolm Taylor / Helen Farmer

Action Plan and presentation for objective C3:  Reduce isolation and loneliness

Les Billingham

Action Plan and presentation for objective C4:  Improve the identification and treatment of depression, particularly in high risk groups

Funmi Worrell

Roger Harris introduced the item as corporate sponsor for Goal C by explaining that the Health and Wellbeing Strategy contains five Strategic Goals.  The Item in Focus for this meeting Goal C (Better Emotional Health and Wellbeing), comprises four objectives:

·         C1 Give parents the support they need

·         C2 Improve the emotional health and wellbeing of children and young people

·         C3 Reduce social isolation and loneliness

·         C4 Improve the identification and treatment of depression, particularly in high risk groups.

Action Plan C1 was presented by Sue Green, Strategic Lead Children’s Commissioning and Service Transformation.  During the presentation the following points were made: 

·         There are a range of support services available across agencies including evidence based, accredited parenting programmes.

·         Demand for commissioned Early Offer of Help services outstrips supply.  Parenting support is provided for 180 places and there is currently a waiting list of 60 places.

·         273 families are being worked with as part of the Troubled Families programme, working towards the 2016/17 target of 370 families

·         140 parents per year who have been subjected to domestic abuse and violence are accessing support to improve parenting capacity through awareness, resilience building and safety and support planning

During discussions the following points were made:

·         The joined up multi-agency approach being adopted to provide holistic support to families was welcomed and endorsed by Board members.

·         Board members acknowledged the benefits of preventative focussed support for families and how the early offer of support through parenting programmes reduced the likelihood of statutory service support being required.

·         It was agreed that specifications would be explored for commissioned services to ensure support is available in the community and easily accessible to families in Thurrock

Action Sue Green

Action Plan C2 was presented by Malcolm Taylor Strategic Lead - Learner Support and Helen Farmer, Senior Commissioner for Children, Young People and Maternity Services, Thurrock CCG. During the presentation the following points were made:

·         1 in 10 children will be identified with a mental health disorder during their childhood

·         75% of conditions experienced in childhood continue through a child’s life as they become adults.

·         Young people that experience mental health challenges achieve lower educational outcomes

·         The local Transformation Plan Open Up, Reach Out describes how Thurrock now provides a single integrated service across seven localities, providing increased access to services.

·         Schools will be helped to support children at risk of suicide or self-harm by continuing to receive ongoing support provided by Thurrock Council in partnership with NELF and that guidance will be distributed to schools by March 2017

During discussions the following points were made:

·         The limited opportunity for young people to access support for bullying was acknowledged and the work being taken forward in partnership with Public Health was welcomed by Board members.

·         It is important to effectively manage the transition between children and adult services to ensure that support is sustainable for individuals

Action Plan C3was presented by Les Billingham, Head of Adult Social Care and Community Development.  During the presentation the following points were made:

·         Loneliness and social isolation are harmful to our health: research shows that lacking social connections is as damaging to our health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day

·         A multi-faceted, coordinated and fresh approach is being adopted across Thurrock to tackle loneliness and social isolation which includes:

o   Local Area Coordinators who identify and connect isolated and vulnerable individuals with  their communities.

o   Piloting of Social Prescribing, enabling GPs to prescribe social interventions as an alternative to medical treatment for those who would benefit from a community-solution

o   Introducing screening for depression for people aged 65+ enabling people to be referred to the most appropriate service at the earliest opportunity

o   Establishing Community Hubs across Thurrock, providing a range of services for members of the community, including day activities and clubs

During discussions the following points were made:

·         The comprehensive approach comprising a mixture of community based and statutory service provision was welcomed by Board members

·         When planning and designing accommodation for older people it is important that it is accessible and supported by effective transport links.

Action Plan C4 was presented by Funmi Worrell, Public Health Registrar.  During the presentation the following points were made:

·         People entering Improving Access to Physiological Therapy (IAPT) as a % of those estimated to have anxiety / depression – 15.1%, in line with national targets.

·         A pilot has commenced to increase the percentage of Adult Social Care clients over 65 screened for depression by frontline Thurrock Council Social Care staff.  Early feedback from the pilot reflects stigma challenges attached to mental health conditions.

Board members endorsed the work of the team to support people experiencing mental health problems in Thurrock.

RESOLVED:

Action plans developed to support the achievement Thurrock’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy Goal C, Better Emotional Health and Wellbeing were agreed. 

The setting up of a review meeting for all of Thurrock Health and Wellbeing Strategy Goals was agreed.