Agenda item

RESOLVED:

That the No Wrong Door Task Group report and the Mental Health Task Group be noted. Cabinet responses to the task group recommendations were included in the supplementary agenda.

No Wrong Door Task Group

The report of the No Wrong Door Task Group was introduced by Lesley Steeds who explained that the task group supported the introduction of a no wrong door in Surrey and made nine recommendations relating to the development and implementation of the local service. The Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families was thanked for her response to the task group recommendations. The Cabinet response would be considered by the Select Committee on 14 December 2020.

Mr Jonathan Essex explained that he was a Member of the Corporate Parenting Board and queried if it was enough making changes in just two of our children’s centres. He also queried why no looked after children and care leavers views were taken into account, although the report notes that this will be considered at implementation. Clarification was sought if the No Wrong Door could be implemented if the signs of safety policy had ended in Surrey.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families thanked the task group for the work undertaken. The task group had drawn attention to a number of serious issues that required consideration. Concern was raised around Recommendation 1 and 2 and around accreditation. It was explained that using expertise from other authorities was supported by Ofsted and the model used by North Yorkshire was supported by Ofsted. It was explained that the Chairman of the task group supported the response from Cabinet to recommendations 1 and 2 and understood that the cost for the accreditation would be justified.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families explained that the work done between the no wrong door and corporate parenting was very different. The no wrong door would be used for very short term interventions with teenagers and their parents so they can be reunited. These children would not come into care. It was further explained that although North Yorkshire used the signs of safety model and Surrey used family resilience, both of these were strengths based models of social work practice so there was not sufficient difference between these. With regards to Recommendation 8 of the task group report, as the task group met over the summer over a short space of time, there was limited opportunity to get young people involved. Going forward the user voice and participation team would be involved with the implementation of this work.

Mental Health Task Group

The report of the Mental Health Task Group was introduced by Nick Darby who explained that the report was presented to the Adults and Health Select Committee on 15 October. An investigation was undertaken from the bottom up and effectively as the ‘patient journey’. Several of the recommendations were highlighted by the Chairman. Significant improvements are required to mental health services and additional resources would be supported. The Cabinet Member for Adults and Health thanked the task group for the work undertaken and welcomed the recommendations, commending all involved. She went onto say that the work was incredibly helpful in terms of raising the profile of mental health and the awareness of the impacts across the system. It was explained that Surrey County Council and Surrey Heartlands ICS would be launching a mental health summit on 19 November to identify the actions needed to address the current challenges and to plan for the future.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families welcomed the mental health summit explaining that there was lots more to do to align children’s and adults mental health services. She added that £4.5M had been ring-fenced for children’s mental health intervention work. The Deputy Cabinet Member for People added that transitions was vital in mental health services and also supported the summit in November. 

RESOLVED:

That the No Wrong Door Task Group report and the Mental Health Task Group be noted. Cabinet responses to the task group recommendations were included in the supplementary agenda.