Agenda item

Sue Mullin, Associate Director for Children’s Mental Health, Kent & Medway Integrated Care Board and Jane O’Rourke, Director of Children’s Services, Kent & Medway Integrated Care Board were in attendance for this item. 

1. Ms O’Rourke introduced the report and provided a summary of the procurement and engagement process. She referred to a pre-engagement event (which the Chair had attended) as well as an event attended by over 200 children. The Chair asked that the entire committee be invited to a future  pre-market engagement event. 

2. A Member noted that there was very high demand for mental health support amongst young people and getting them the care they needed could be difficult. Ms Mullin said that the ICB were looking at alternatives to clinical support, such as commissioning a UASC youth group. There were challenges with early intervention and prevention and those services would be actively targeted going forward. Ms Mullin recognised the importance of voluntary and community groups and the 13-year commitment proposed in the paper would provide long-term support to those organisations. Reducing waiting lists would be challenging but a collaborative approach would be hugely beneficial.  

3. Prevalence data showed an increase from 18% to 20% over 12 months. Prevalence was a national statistic that looked at the ‘possible’ and ‘probable’ mental health disorder rate in children aged 8-16. In recent years the rate had increased significantly and more at-risk groups were identified such as adolescent girls. Prevalence and complexity had increased since the Covid-19 pandemic. 

4. A Member said that although the quality of care was good, issues remained with capacity as many young people were unable to access the care they needed. They felt there was not parity of esteem between physical and mental health. 

5. A Member said that much of the support was offered through schools but there needed to be an offer outside of school and in the community as part of a long-term commitment. Ms O’Rourke noted that there were several programmes in operation outside of this procurement including the introduction of 37 Children’s Care Navigators across 41 primary care networks. She acknowledged more work in the community was needed, and the ICB were working with voluntary organisations to support this. Ms Mullin noted that internationally there was a lack of understanding about children’s mental health, but a 13-year offer would move away from short termism and offer stability.   

6. Ms Mullin said there was a robust digital offer delivered by Kooth which was used by a large number of young people, but it was only part of a wider offer that would be tailored to young people and children.  

7. A Member reflected that the message about young people’s mental health needed to be balanced, and she noted that there were alternative sources of support for young people, such as music and pet therapy. Ms O’Rourke confirmed the role of Care Navigators was to support young people to the appropriate type of care. To do this, they would look for innovative solutions, perhaps by using Personal Health Budgets. She assured the Committee they were in a strong position with education. 

8. It was confirmed that at a future meeting information would be provided on the level and types of need, the gap between the level of demand and the resources available and the plan to address resulting capacity issues. 

9. Mr Goatham (Healthwatch) complimented the ICB team for the engagement they had undertaken. Ms Mullin confirmed that parents and carers were a part of the engagement process to design the future of the services.  

10. RESOLVED that the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee note the report and invite colleagues from NHS Kent and Medway to return to a future meeting with more detail.