Pendle’s MP Andrew Stephenson has welcomed the announcement of a new £1 million trial of high quality mental health assessments for children in care, to ensure young people are assessed at the right time, with a focus on their individual needs as they enter care.
Ten trial areas will pilot early interventions to ensure young people are assessed at the right time and receive help tailored towards each child’s individual needs. The work will be led by the Anna Freud Centre alongside Action for Children, Child Outcomes Research Consortium, Research in Practice and NSPCC.
Over 60 per cent of children are placed into care due to abuse and neglect, which can have lasting impact on their wellbeing. Half of all children in care meet the criteria for a possible mental health disorder, compared to one in ten outside of the care system.
In 2015 an Ofsted inspection found Lancashire County Council’s children’s services to be inadequate, following a significant decline. The County’s children services had previously been rated highly by Ofsted. During the inspection period, three children in care tragically died.
The £1 million pilot is part of £1.7 billion pledged by the Government to help promote children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing. It follows the publication of the Government’s Children and Young People’s Mental Health Green Paper in December 2017. Backed by £300 million in funding, this aims to improve access to mental health services for children and young people through designated mental health leads in schools and by reducing waiting times for mental health services.
Mr Stephenson said, “Lancashire could benefit tremendously from having such a program here. Since 2015 there has been real concern about services for children in care in Lancashire, many of whom will face poor mental health. The Government is showing leadership in taking action to ensure children have the best quality help as early as possible.”
Nadhim Zahawi MP, Minister for Children and Families said, “Children in care are some of the most vulnerable in society and have often experienced traumatic events, so it is vital they receive care and support that is tailored to their needs.”