Progress needed to meet Government’s pledge on children’s mental health

Out Of The Shadows?, a joint report from 11 MILLION, led by the Children’s Commissioner for England, YoungMinds and Very Important Kids (VIK), says that although some authorities are making good progress, others still have some way to go.

The report follows on from 11 MILLION’s report of January 2007, Pushed Into The Shadows, which outlined the appalling treatment many children and young people with mental health problems have had to endure when placed on adult mental health wards.

Out of the Shadows? sets out the progress made so far by primary care trusts (PCTs) and mental health trusts (MHTs) in meeting the Government target, and gives advice on how children and young people should be treated if they are admitted to adult wards.

It is the first time the Children’s Commissioner has used his powers to require such bodies to respond.

Sir Al said: “Many of the replies I received show a real determination to address the gaps identified and a commitment to achieving concrete improvements.

“Those PCTs and MHTs are to be applauded and I warmly welcome their efforts, and the strong support provided by the Government.

“However, it is clear that for other PCTs and MHTs, much still needs to be done to ensure young people placed on adult wards have the appropriate level of care and support that they need.”

The report was co-authored by three representatives of VIK / YoungMinds, Rebecca Collins, Antonia Wilkinson and Lois Ward.

They said: “We hope the recommendations in Out of the Shadows? will help end inappropriate admissions to adult wards. We also want to ensure that those young people who are admitted to adult psychiatric wards are made safe.”
They added: “In reviewing the responses to the recommendations to Pushed into the Shadows we have been shown that many PCTs and MHTs across England are focused on the needs of children and young people with mental health problems, and seek to provide an excellent service for them. It would be amazing if all children and young people could have such access. We believe this to be entirely achievable but, sadly, not the case at the moment.

“The young people entering mental health services have their lives ahead of them, and it is essential that the environments in which they are placed are safe, supportive, and serve to boost their potential in the future.”

Sarah Brennan, Chief Executive of YoungMinds, said: “YoungMinds has lobbied hard with and on behalf of young people to achieve age appropriate services. We are proud of the achievements of our young people from our VIK group and hope this report will help these services become a reality.”

For immediate release 1st October 2008

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1.    11 MILLION, formerly the Office of the Children’s Commissioner, supports the 11 million children and young people in England to have their voices heard.  The Children’s Commissioner for England was established under The Children Act 2004 to be the independent voice of children and young people and to champion their interests and bring their concerns and views to the national arena.

2.    Professor Sir Al Aynsley-Green became the Children’s Commissioner for England on 1 July 2005. He was previously National Clinical Director for Children at the Department of Health and Nuffield Professor of Child Health at the Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children.

3.    For more information on 11 MILLION, go to www.11MILLION.org.uk

4.    Pushed Into the Shadows told of the conditions many children and young people faced when placed on adult mental health wards. The full report is at:
Pushed into the Shadows made 20 recommendations, five focusing on the work to avoid admissions of young people on to adult wards, the remainder aimed at ensuring children and young people were safe if they are admitted to adult wards.

5.    Following the report the Government pledged to end the inappropriate admission to adult mental health wards of all children and young people by April 2010, under section 31 of the Mental Health Act 2007.

6.    YoungMinds is the UK's leading children's mental health charity committed to improving the mental health and emotional well-being of children and young people by ensuring mental health is placed firmly on the public and political agenda. For further information visit www.youngminds.org.uk

7.    YoungMinds national advisory panel Very Important Kids (VIK) is made up of 15 children and young people who once every 6-8 weeks to discuss issues affecting children and young people’s mental health and emotional wellbeing. VIK aims to make sure that the views of children and young people are heard within YoungMinds and across the whole children’s mental health sector.

8.    Sir Al Aynsley-Green and Sarah Brennan are both available for interview.