1. Children & young peoples’ Mental Wellbeing

2. Who we are Leading Health & Wellbeing Charity
Established in 1973 (previously known as Sandwell Mind)
2013 disaffiliation, KPG was born
Diversification in terms of geography and types of services provided
Link between adult, CYP and Family Services – first commissioned work (CYP) in 2013

3. What we do
We provide a range of services for CYP, Adults and families:
CYP specific:
Emotional Wellbeing (South Staffordshire)
Primary Mental Health Workers (PMHW – Sandwell)
UPFront (Sandwell)
BEAM (Sandwell)

4. Current Prevalent Issues
Children & Young People
Self- Esteem
Low Mood
Family Breakdown
Self-Harm (thoughts and sometimes actions)
Anger/Aggressive Behaviour
Social Anxiety/Isolation
Poor Coping Skills
Peer Relationship Issues
Families
Poverty – linked to unemployment
Housing
Low Levels of Emotional Resilience
Low inter-generational academic achievement
Lack of ‘community’
Unawareness of and difficulty in accessing services
Lack of access to positive social activities

5. Role of the third sector
Benefits of Engaging the Sector:
Already working at a community level (knowledge, trust, reputation)
Flexible – an ability to respond creatively
Able to access a range of funds (sometimes)
Less bureaucracy
Partnerships
Feedback demonstrates that we have been able to provide:
Short Waiting Times
High Contact Numbers
Good Outcome Rates

6. Sandwell – Primary Mental Health Workers
Multi-disciplinary/Co-located services
Primary Mental Health Workers (PMHW) Sandwell
6 Towns/6 COGS (YOS, LAC and CSE)
Multi-agency Teams include: Targeted Family Support Workers, Domestic Abuse Advocates, Troubled Families Employment Advisors, Early Help Social Worker, Primary Mental Health Worker and Business Support
Creative, flexible, proactive (and reactive) approach to demand and needs

7. Challenges facing the third sector
Expectations
Being seen as a credible peer (importance of smaller charities)
Funding
Increase in demand for services
Resource Pressures (including increased monitoring and regulatory changes)
Competition
Uncertainty

8. Opportunities in accessing Support
Greater opportunities to take on public service roles
Heightened awareness of emotional health and wellbeing
Normalisation
Greater access to services via self-referral (particularly at a prevention level)
Delivery of services within schools (venues close to home)
Digital services (combined with traditional methods of intervention)
Co-located/Multi-disciplinary Services

9. Barriers in Accessing Support
Ongoing stigma – lack of understanding
Gender (splits in access)
Cultural considerations
Language, new communities and unaccompanied CYP
Lack of ‘whole family’ support – looks at needs in isolation
Lack of knowledge/awareness of services
Complicated referral processes
Long Waiting Times
Short Intervention Periods

10. Moving forwards Prevention
Balance between the funding of preventative services , statutory and crisis care
Investment in Prevention – not at the cost of statutory or crisis services
Support & Opportunities for Third Sector
Local response to partnerships
UPFront   

11. Contact details:
Claire Dale (Director of Operations) Facebook: Twitter: YouTube: Linkedin: