Cllr Jasmine Ali 22 January 2020

Revolutionising mental health

Southwark is the first local authority in the country to make a simple but necessary commitment: to deliver 100% of the mental health needs of children and young people in our borough.

We recognise this is significantly higher than the NHS target of 35% but we are determined to deliver on our ambitious 100% goal, because our children deserve it. So recent months have seen a lot of learning and planning - a key part of this is the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Commission.

This first meeting of the Commission was a really important step in our journey. It brought together experts in mental health and key thinkers in social policy. They will guide our work and monitor progress, helping us revolutionise mental health support for children, young people and their families.

I was extremely grateful to Children’s Commissioner Anne Longfield OBE for coming to our first meeting. Young people have shared painful experiences with her about difficulties accessing mental health services. She shared some of their stories with us, highlighting again the very real need for the task we have set ourselves.

As part of her keynote speech, Anne drew on her experience of young people often feeling like they were not ill enough to access services and when they did, they were often met with long waiting times. She also highlighted the role that social media played in exacerbating adolescent anxieties.

This dark sentiment of ‘not being sick enough’ has resonated as our work has progressed. No young person should ever find themselves in this position. I have heard similar testimonies myself end every time it reminds me just how important this work is. There are children and their families across our borough, and of course all around the country, who are in desperate need of support. We must do all that we can to ensure they have the life-saving support when they need it.

I don’t think anyone under-estimates the challenge that we have set ourselves. No other local authority has tried to do this. But we are already encouraged; we are beginning to see what our offer will look like both in terms of practical delivery and the ethos that underpins it. Across the council and our partner organisations, there is real commitment. We are determined to listen to young people and to ensure they are represented in our plans and service delivery.

As part of this work I have been struck by the innovation that I’ve seen at a local level that demonstrates that there is significant room for improvement. Exciting innovations in Birmingham and Camden are just two examples of how local government and other stakeholders are working to improve the lives of vulnerable young people through prevention of poor mental health as well as better access to services.

These formative years for children are not a dress rehearsal. Effective support, at the right time, can make a huge difference throughout their lives. Here in Southwark we’re aiming for 100% because nothing less will do. I’m thrilled that we will soon be putting these plans into action.

Cllr Jasmine Ali is chair of the commission and cabinet member for children, schools and adult care at Southwark Council

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Principal Systems Analyst Applications

Oxfordshire County Council
£46412 - £49282
The ICT Principal Systems Analyst will be the subject matter expert on the Children's Social Care and Early Help Applications. They will be aware of and will contribute to Application roadmap developments, keep abreast of legislative changes and customer Oxford
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Social Worker/Senior Practitioner - Family Support and Safeguarding - Banbury

Oxfordshire County Council
£38220 - £49282
You will manage a caseload tailored to your experience, ensuring that children’s and their families’ voices are heard, and their needs are met. You will work with families using the Family Support and Safeguarding Workbook modules, and a strengths-bas Banbury
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Financial Assessment Officer

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£30,510 - £45,564 per annum
Financial Assessment Officer
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

HDRC Partnerships Officer

Essex County Council
£26786.00 - £31512.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
HDRC Partnerships OfficerFixed Term, Full Time£26,786 to £31,512 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Special Educational Needs (SEN) Delivery Lead

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Negotiable
Lead the daily operations of our SEN service, ensuring every child receives the support they deserve. Working as an SEN Delivery Lead means being at t England, London, City of London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Linkedin Banner