Stories
Barnardo’s call for expanding Mental Health Support Teams
The report highlighted that for every £1 invested in MHSTs, there is a predicted return of £1.90 to the state. This is through savings in further health care costs and the indirect benefits of improved school attendance and educational attainment. The report states that this investment would provide crucial early intervention for children who are experiencing poor mental health, including low mood, mild to moderate anxiety, and difficulties regulating their emotions, which could be exacerbated in the coming months.
As well as MHST expansion, Barnardo’s is supporting our ask for every school to have a trained and accredited school counsellor. Expansion of MHSTs, alongside access to a school counsellor service, would mean young people could avoid long waits for specialist support and reduce the chances of their mental health spiralling into crisis before help is available. You can read the full report on the Barnardo's website.
Mental Health Week
It is Children’s Mental Health Week from 6 February. This year’s theme is 'Let’s Connect'. The LGA will be supporting Children’s Mental Health Week, look out for our article in first magazine. If you want to share the great work your council is doing to support children and young people with their mental health, get in touch with flora.wilkie@local.gov.uk.
Youth services
The National Youth Agency (NYA) contacted councils before Christmas regarding their national census of youth services. It is helpful for councils to take part in the census to provide an accurate picture of youth services across the country and capture the great work that councils and partners do, however, there is no duty to do so. We continue to work closely with the Government on the new statutory guidance to bring in the council perspective.
Institute of Health Visiting (IHV): A vital safety net under pressure
On 18 January, the Institute of Health Visiting released a report highlighting growing challenges with staffing and the cost of living. Responding to the report, Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board said:
“As this survey clearly shows, health visitors play a vital role in our communities but councils face growing shortages of them, with the number of health visitors decreasing by nearly 40 per cent since 2015 due to cuts in councils’ public health grant.
“At a time of increasing need and complexity, health visitors are needed now more than ever. That is why the Government should commit to an ambitious plan to increase the number of health visitors so we can rebuild and regain these vital public health nursing services that have been lost over the last decade."
Read our response to the IHV report into health visiting.
Family Hubs Case Studies
We would like to publish a series of case studies featuring the broad range of support that councils and their partners are providing in Family Hubs. This could include a focus on outcomes-based commissioning, the full range of support available for 0-25s, perinatal mental health, parent-infant relationships, health visiting etc.
For more information, please get in touch with emily.hackett@local.gov.uk to tell us about the great things you and your partners are doing to support families through your Family Hubs.
Anna Freud Centre
The Anna Freud Centre launched a series of expert blogs, ‘Local leadership, national change’. In the blogs, local children’s services leaders showcase the innovations and best practice taking place across the country to achieve sustainable change for children and young people’s mental health.
The Princess of Wales launches 'Shaping Us' campaign
Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales has launched an awareness-raising campaign to increase public understanding of the importance of the first five years of a child’s life. This follows new research into public understanding of child development by the Centre for Early Childhood, which shows that around one in three (36 per cent) adults report knowing ‘just a little’ or ‘nothing’ about the impact early years can have.
Find out more about the 'Shaping Us' campaign.
Youth justice statistics 2021/22
The latest youth justice statistics have been released showing a decline in the number of children who have been cautioned or sentenced in the past year. There is also a decline in the number of children entering the justice system, re-offending and held in custody. It is likely that the COVID-19 lockdowns may have impacted the statistics. Also, a large number of children are held on custodial remand and the average time from offence to completion at court remains high. Keith Fraser, Chair of the Youth Justice Board, has written a blog reflecting on the statistics.
Events
LGA Webinar: Census 2021 – Data for Health
Wednesday 1 February | Webinar
This webinar will explore how public health teams can best use the latest census data to understand and improve the health of their local populations
National Workshop for S151 Officers, delegated children’s finance leads and their senior teams: Effective Cross-Council working between Finance and Children’s Services
Friday 3 March | Webinar
A chance to explore effective cross-council working between finance and children’s services.
Annual Public Health Conference
Tuesday 21 March–Thursday 23 March | Webinar
This key annual conference will offer delegates the opportunity to hear from leading expert speakers on the very latest thinking in national public health policy issues, as well as gaining insights from those delivering on the ground.
Workshop for HR leaders, managers and business partners for children: Effective cross-council working between HR and Children’s Services
Thursday 23 March | Webinar
A virtual learning event with the aim of strengthening cross-council working to achieve better outcomes for children. There will be two learning sessions focused on children’s services workforce recruitment, attraction, engagement and retention.
National Children and Adult Services Conference
29 November–1 December | Bournemouth
Bookings are now open for #ncasc23. The conference is the annual opportunity for those with an interest in social care, children’s services, education, health and related fields to network with peers and hear the very latest thinking on key policy and improvement agendas.
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