1. Michael Lloyd Steve Kenny
Sefton Council Children and Young People’s Substance Misuse Health Needs Assessment
Michael Lloyd
Steve Kenny

2. About the health needs assessment
Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council commissioned CPI to support the delivery of a health needs assessment (HNA) looking at the needs of children, young people and their families around substance misuse.
The HNA is looking at:
Prevention
Treatment
Children and young people affected by substance misuse of parents/carers

3. Our approach Overview The HNA includes:
consultation with professionals
consultation with young people (both in treatment and not in treatment)
primary data analysis – using a range of data sets
comparison data – comparing data for Sefton with Wirral and Stockport

4. Key findings
There has been a downward trend in treatment numbers in Sefton since a peak in 08/09.
Data for Wirral also shows a downward trend whilst the picture in Stockport fluctuates

5. Key findings
Substance use in Sefton is generally similar to the national picture.
Cannabis is the main problematic drug – as is also the case for Wirral and Stockport
Cocaine is a feature in Sefton (28%) although Wirral was slightly higher (30%)

6. Key findings
Young people in treatment have a range of complex vulnerabilities
Domestic abuse is a feature in the lives of 45% of clients
Other’s substance misuse is a feature in the lives of 47% of clients

7. Key findings Trends in substance misuse
Cannabis use is perceived to have become normalised among young people over the last decade.
Cannabis is combined with alcohol use among many vulnerable groups.
Alcohol-related hospital admissions appear to be on a downward trend indicating changing levels of consumption.
There is a perceived emergence of ketamine which appears to be more accessible and is linked to exploitative party events.

8. Key findings Vulnerabilities
The “toxic trio” (mental health, substance misuse and domestic abuse) seems to permeate the lives of the most vulnerable families.
Parental/carer substance misuse is perceived to have a significant impact in terms of:
Young people’s health and their subsequent substance misuse
The wider community
Research indicates that the more risk factors that are present in young people’s lives the more likely they are to misuse substances.

9. Key findings Role of the family
Given the relationship between parental/carer substance misuse and young people’s substance misuse, there was a perceived need to look at adopting a wrap-around family approach rather than looking at adult and young people’s issues in isolation.
It was felt that lessons could be learned from initiatives like the Turnaround Programme (Troubled Families).

10. Components outstanding
A number of HNA elements will be completed this week:
“Dip” sample of case files of young people in treatment to understand the range of vulnerabilities that they exhibit
Consultation with children and young people
Venus Centre
Netherton Park Neighbourhood Centre
Christ Church Youth and Community Centre
SMASH (x2)
The HNA will report back during the week commencing 3rd April.

11. Group work In your group consider the following question:
“From your perspective, what is missing in terms of support services for children and young people who are directly or indirectly affected by substance misuse?”

12. Group work In your group consider the following question:
“From your perspective, what should the priorities be for commissioners to improve the support that is available for children and young people who are directly or indirectly affected by substance misuse?”

13. Group work In your group consider the following question:
“Who needs to be involved in the design and co-production of services for children and young people who are directly or indirectly affected by substance misuse?”

14. Group work In your group consider the following question:
From your perspective
1. what is missing in terms of support services for children and young people who are directly or indirectly affected by substance misuse?”
2. what should the priorities be for commissioners to improve the support that is available for children and young people who are directly or indirectly affected by substance misuse?”
3. “Who needs to be involved in the design and co-production of services for children and young people who are directly or indirectly affected by substance misuse?”