Agenda item

Presentation attached.

Will Blandamer, Executive Director (Health and Adult Care) introduced the report and advised that we are making good progress in some areas and benchmark relatively well against GM.

However there are some challenges around waiting times for ADHD and autism which is an issue nationally.  The waiting times are not acceptable and work is taking place locally and nationally to address this. 

A standardised process has been designed to assess the needs of children and young people referred for suspected ADHD and Autism, through a multi-agency approach. This has been approved through NHS GM governance.

In Bury, we are working to establish neuro-diversity hubs an looking at system navigation and support regardless of the need for mental health diagnosis. The hubs will support with relatively early stages of intervention

The Council understands this is a challenging time for parents and NHS GM have coproduced a really good pack of info for parents and carers which was circulated to member.

The team are really keen to listen and engage with children, families and young people as we develop over time.  Valuable feedback has already been received from parent care board and Bury Together

Bury Healthwatch are developing Bury Youth Watch  with the SEND agenda and looking at neuro-diversity pathways/hubs as a focal point.

Sandy Bering advised that we now have a better understanding of issues and many people have some characteristics.  It’s important now that we have a mechanism to identify who has most severe needs and ensure they don’t get lost in the system. All individuals are entitled to help irrespective of diagnostic assessment

Councillor Rubenstein asked a question around autism presenting differently in women and young girls compared to boys and whether there is a danger of people who may be diagnosed but don’t want help.

Sandy Bering confirmed that lots of research has been done on boys.  Triage can do face to face and check what requirements are required and we need to ensure individuals have the right support in place at the right time.

Councillor Lancaster queried what the changes to the autism and ADHD process would look like for those already on the waiting list and how we will make sure they are not pushed back further

Sandy Bering confirmed that we need to ensure people are treated fairly. A large sum of money has been identified to support trusts to review their waiting lists to ensure they remain up to date.  This could take up to 18 months to complete.

Sandy Bering confirmed that all trusts had been written to asking for them to provide the details of their waiting lists which will then help to create the timeline for moving forwards. 

Councillor Lancaster queried autism and ADHD being classed as a disability and where this sits with protected characteristics?

Sandy Bering confirmed that it is Illegal to use diagnosis as a way to restrict access  and that additional support and adjustments can be put in place

Joane Burns, Union representative for schools queried what happens to those completing the paperwork today/tomorrow?  She went on to explain that it feels like sometimes we are not in this together and there is no clear distinction around who will be referrer? She also highlighted that she can't see how we can put more work into schools, there are already concerns around referrals going missing

Will Blandamer responded saying that we all know that the system is broken and we are working to attempt to improve it but it requires a whole partnership endeavour.

Violet advised that on the BeeHeard Group in Manchester  which is a youth voice focus group that work on mental health there mental health passport being developed. She also queried how we will manage the risk of worsening symptoms, for example, checking those who were doing ok yesterday but today might be on the brink of being lost?

Chris advised that we can't change things immediately.  This is about designing how we improve things and communication is important.  Around the query of how do we monitor people; they should be contacted regularly, ensure they have a plan in place and know that the door is never closed and that they can return.

Joanne Burns queried whether the paperwork was going to be streamlined for parents and whether it could be in dual language.  She also highlighted that we can only advocate for people if we know there has been a problem/breakdown

Councillor Fitzgerlad stated it would be helpful to understand what the communications would be and how people can get involved to make recommendations?

Will Blandamer advised that there are lots of ways to engage with people and that all providers have been challenged to strengthen and improve their engagement and connection with parents.

Councillor Smith stated that we need coproduction and partnership which is being worked on.

Jeanette Richards, Executive Director Children and Young People advised that it is difficult to progress change when practically all aspects of the system are broken.  The team have met with the Department for Education to discuss reforms and the need to pivot the system to deliver for schools and children

Councillor Smith highlighted that this is about how we wrap services around family and children as early as possible and it is important that we get it right

Councillor Fitzgerald stated that everyone knows the system is broken and everyone wants to  improve it. Reflecting on the timeframe, it has taken 2 years to get to this point and we need to ensure that people understand where we are and where we're going

Will Blandamer thanked all members for discussion and confirmed would return to provide:

·       Confirmation on and clarification of how we are engaging and listening across the partnership

·       Update that describes detail of how it will look

·       Triage process

·       Maturity of community offer

·       Routes of referral