Agenda item

Public Health to present

Ruth Fletcher-Brown, Public Health Specialist (Mental Health) presented the Self-Harm Practice Guidance for approval and adoption by the Board.

The Rotherham Youth Cabinet had looked at the subject of self-harm as part of its 2013/14 Manifesto and recognised that, as well as local, it was a national issue.

In conjunction with this work, partner organisations had begun work drafting self-harm guidance for all staff working with children and young people recognising that it was an emotive issue for those staff supporting young people.

The purpose of the Guidance was to promote a safe, timely and effective response to children and young people who harmed themselves or were at risk of harming themselves.  It was intended for use with children and young people up to the age of 25 years and did not supersede Safeguarding procedures.  It had been written to reflect the development of the self-harm pathway and would appear on the CAMHS website once developed. 

The Guidance incorporated the findings from the work of the Rotherham Youth Cabinet, including the voice of young people who self-harmed in Rotherham, and expertise from partners.

Adoption of the Guidance needed to be supported by a robust training programme to ensure that workers felt confident and able to support young people and referring on when appropriate.

If approved, the Guidance would be launched and rolled out to all organisations that worked with young people.

Discussion ensued with the following issues raised/clarified:-

-          Some organisations would require the Guidance in hardcopy form but it was the intention for it to be included on all organisations’ websites

-          Suggestion that the paragraphs be numbered to enable quicker reference and that the “How to Help” be grouped under related headings to allow easier access

-          A meeting had been held with all Safeguarding leads to publicise the document and it was hoped to meet similarly with all Head Teachers

-          Capacity to deliver the robust training and that of CAMHS’ capacity to respond to the inevitable surge of demands for support

The Clinical Commissioning Group supported the document and had circulated it to GPs who were similarly in support but had raised the issue of faith.

Tony Clabby, Healthwatch Rotherham, reported that they were in discussion with the Clinical Commissioning Group with regard to developing a Young Healthwatch Ambassadors pilot, which was hoped would lead to peer-to-peer support, for young people who did not feel comfortable talking to adults.  This was in development with the schools.

Ruth acknowledged that there was a great demand for support and training around mental health.  It was hoped that the Guidance would also reassure frontline workers that they did not necessarily need to refer everyone through to CAMHS.  Professionals needed to carry out a risk assessment as not all young people who self-harmed would need a referral. 

CAMHS had worked very closely with the production of the Guidance.

A further issue for consideration was the wellbeing of staff in schools whom were increasingly dealing with contentious issues and needed support.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the Self-Harm Practice Guidance be approved and adopted for use across all Services who worked with children and young people both within the statutory and voluntary sector.

(2)  That the Youth Cabinet and other partners involved in the production of the Guidance be thanked for their work.

(3)  That the Board be informed when the Guidance was to be launched.

(4)  That further work take place with regard to training and that the Board consider the financial implications of a robust training programme.