“Our vision is for children and young people in Suffolk to have the best start in life, enjoy good mental health, be resilient and productive, enjoy school, make friends, achieve their full potential and have positive and happy relationships.” – Suffolk Children’s Emotional Health and Wellbeing Strategy (2013-17)
Mental health services are complex but our aim is to establish a joined-up, family focused response to all children, young people and families presenting with emotional, behavioural or mental health needs. This transformation plan has been developed with health and care organisations, charities, schools , young people, parents and carers and is based on Five Big Ideas and Ten Priorities which we will all deliver together over the next five years. Find out more HERE
These are currently the main areas of work:
1. Single Point of Access and Assessment and Behaviour and Conduct Pathways
- Business case being developed following a number of scoping and engagement workshops.
- Meeting with key stakeholders and CYP and parent/carers to be arranged to ‘walk through’ how the new Single Point of Access and Assessment will work
- Key principles: self-referral, family focussed, no wrong door, importance of initial/first contact experience, early intervention, reducing bounce around the system
2. Digital
Development of the Source website to provide clinically assured information, advice, guidance and resources initially focussed on the following areas (identified through discussions with young people, schools, GPs and wider stakeholders):
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Eating disorders
- Self harm
3. Workforce Development
As part of this plan, funded learning and development is now available to enable staff and families to have greater confidence and skills in responding to issues relating to emotional wellbeing and mental health. Training, including Mental Health First Aid, can be accessed via www.suffolkcpd.co.uk using the Multi-Agency icon on the home page.
4. Eating Disorders
A new eating disorder service for east and west Suffolk has been commissioned with Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. For more information on this and other services please visit http://www.thesource.me.uk/health/eating-disorders/
5. Voluntary and Community Organisations
Working with Suffolk Community Foundation to administer a grant programme of £225,000 available for local projects (up to £20k) that will support the Transformation Plan priorities.
Work is also underway on other priorities including CYP IAPT Training, work with vulnerable children, the provision of crisis support and perinatal mental health.
