Issue - meetings

To receive the report from the Corporate Director for Education and Young People’s Services that sets out the details of the new structure and delivery models and the new KCC Policy on Supporting Pupils with Medical Conditions (including Mental Health Needs).

(Report by Mr P Leeson, Corporate Director for Education and Young People’s Services)

(Ms S Dunn, Head of Skills and Employability Service, was present for this item)

1.            Mr Leeson and Ms Dunn introduced the report that sets out the details of the new structure and delivery models and the new KCC Policy on Supporting Pupils with Medical Conditions including Mental Health Needs.  They advised that links with the Health Services would be strengthened and joint delivery models to support pupils with mental health conditions would be established in six new locality bases in the County.

2.            The new service would provide:

·      an education service to schools for young people with physical medical needs;

·      education outreach support for young people with mental health needs located in six resourced bases, with up to 120 places annually; and

·      together with Oakfields Education Unit and residential placements for the most complex needs.

3.            Mr Leeson and Ms Dunn responded to questions by Member as follows:

·      Ms Dunn confirmed that professional development would be available to teachers so that they have sufficient knowledge to identifying early signs of mental health and what they need to do if they think they have spotted a developing problem.

·      A request was made for examples of where this is working to be included in future reports.

·      Mr Leeson advised that this was a county wide service and resources would be moved where there is a need. 

·      The new service would be approved by Cabinet in October 2014 and implemented in April 2015.

·      A comment was made that this was a welcomed provision as there had been growing problems with young people’s mental health conditions not being caught early enough.

·      Mr Leeson confirmed that this service was a priority of the Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service. CAMHS had appointed the new post of Primary Mental Health Worker.

·      Mr Leeson explained that the PRUs would be overseen by Management Committees.  He confirmed that the membership of the Committees would include headteachers from local schools.

4.            RESOLVED that:-

a)    the responses to questions by Members be noted; and

b)    the Education and Young People’s Services Cabinet Committee endorses the proposed KCC Policy on Supporting Pupils with Medical Conditions, including Mental Health Needs, prior to approval by Cabinet on 13 October 2014.