Summary
Strategic Issue 1
High rates of hospital admissions for self-harm, particularly in the 15–19-year-old age range suggests escalation to crisis before intervention. Therefore there may be gaps in community-based preventative services.
What needs to be done
- A review of current services for young people in relation to increasing hospital admissions for self-harm, particularly in the 15-19 year old range.
- Targeted outreach in this age group should be undertaken to determine the barriers in accessing preventative services.
Strategic Issue 2
High rates of children in low-income families, increasing free school meal eligibility may exacerbate current mental health issues and lead to the development of others.
What needs to be done
- Inter-departmental collaborative work to tackle and reduce poverty to reduce the rate of children in low-income families and FSM.
Strategic Issue 3
There are low rates of children achieving a good level of development at the end of reception which suggests early cognitive, emotional and social delays which can compound over time affecting school readiness, resilience and long-term mental health. There is also rising pupil absence and declining rates of school pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs which may also indicate a lack of early identification and intervention.
What needs to be done
- Further implementation is required of Children and Young People’s Mental Health and Wellbeing (Hartlepool Borough Council) with resources and support through schools, GPs and community partners promoting emotional wellbeing.
- Including investment in the workforce.
Strategic Issue 4
There are high rates of children in need, looked after children and child protection plans of which groups are at significantly higher risk of mental health disorders and poor life outcomes. There are also high rates of first-time entrants to the youth justice system.
What needs to be done
- There is a need for specialist / targeted mental health support for children in need, looked after children, children subject to child protection plans and first-time entrants to the youth justice system.