JOINT WORKING BETWEEN CHILDRENS SOCIAL CARE AND ADULT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES THE HACKNEY EXPERIENCE

Overview of presentation Challenges faced by AMH Challenges for CSC Shared challenges Developments in AMH Developments in CSC Joint initiatives 10 principles of joint working Our contact details

Challenges for AMH services High deprivation indicators Large and complex caseloads More service users with children Specialist not generic training of staff – e.g. social workers, nurses Low baseline of understanding in staff about children – experience Competing demands and expectations of staff knowledge Unrealistic expectations of other services – e.g. expect miracles or negative views

Other challenges for AMH staff Advocate role Therapeutic relationship Confidentiality Electronic data protection policies Medical understanding of their contribution to safeguarding – e.g. parenting capacity Attending CP conferences CSC expectations of AMH – e.g. relevance of a diagnosis rather than management of symptoms, behaviour etc

Challenges for CSC Staff Understanding mental illness Treatment for mental health problems Impact on parenting Communication

Shared Challenges Understanding each others systems, services, languages Understanding each others legal powers Recruitment and retention of staff Thresholds for risk

Developments in Adult Mental Health Services Safeguarding Children Team (SCT) Parental Mental Health Team (PMHT) Perinatal mental health services In house safeguarding children training City University training for inpatient staff Hospital SW team links with wards Audit CPA policy and documentation LSCB links MAPPA links Domestic Violence/Abuse forums – MARAC links

Reclaiming Social Work Childrens Social Work Unit (CSWU) all members of the unit work with the family

Benefits Different skills Understanding partner agencies Continuity

Specialist workers Mental health Drug Action Team (DAT) secondment for Looked After Children (LAC) and Children in Need (CiN) services Learning difficulty Community partnership advisor Complex case advisor

Parenting Support sits within Family Support Services alongside:- Commissioned Family Support Contact Services Culturally Specific Consultation Specialist Posts

Referrals All referrals for additional support services are received via a multi-agency resource panel – JARP (Joint Allocation Resource Panel) The purpose of JARP is to reduce overlap & duplication of services provided to families It aims to coordinate multi-agency responses to families in need by responding to referrals in a timely and planned way

Joint Allocation Resource Panel 48 SWUs CiN Commissioned Providers PSS Tier 2 YISP/ YOT CFCS FIP Education Contact JARP is a multi-agency resource panel that meets weekly Clinical Manager

Mental Health Trust Named Professional for Safeguarding Children is copied into agenda & minutes for JARP All referrals are screened for parents known to Adult Mental Health Services Specialist Post – Consultant General Adult Psychiatrist who provides advice and guidance to CSC staff on AMH issues

Joint developments SCR and SUI process Joint protocol LSCB training MATCH training by CAMHS for multi-disciplinary staff including AMH Kidstime workshops

10 Principles of Purposeful Joint Working… SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN IS EVERYONES RESPONSIBILITY 1.Discussions must precede decisions 2.Do not make plans on behalf of other agencies without discussion 3.Invite involved agencies to your meetings and send them copies of minutes 4.Undertake, where possible, joint risk assessments & care planning 5.Share details of care plans and risk assessments Cont. overleaf

10 Principles cont. 6.Ensure agencies have sufficient notice to attend meetings and requests for joint visits where possible 7.Plan joint visits in advance with other professionals & agree what you want to achieve 8.Significant changes in circumstances relating to either a child or parent should be communicated to each agency, all involved professionals and plans agreed together 9.Discuss concerns relating to plans with Safeguarding Children Team/Named Professionals in adult mental health services 10.If concerned about decisions of another agency discuss with your line manager and if necessary continue to escalate until a satisfactory conclusion has been reached

Contact Details East London NHS Foundation Trust Jan Pearson, Associate Director for Safeguarding Children Tel: Helen Green, Service Development Manager Tel: LB Hackney Children and Young Peoples Services Rhonda Miedziolka, Head of Children in Need Services Tel: Tina McElligott, Group Manager - Parenting Support Services Tel: