Issue - meetings

Background:

This report provided details of the consultation and the development towards the Medway Children’s and Young People Emotional Wellbeing Strategy 2015-2018 which paid regard to what had emerged in national policy since 2011, including a raft of new strategy, policy and guidance published in March 2015 with a particular focus on the emotional health and wellbeing of children and young people, including the role of schools, colleges and the delivery of earlier help.  Parity of esteem between mental health and physical health in the delivery of health services had been highlighted in several recent national policies as detailed in the report.

It was noted that the Council had lacked an overall Strategy for children and young people and that a report had been presented to the Health and Wellbeing Board on 21 January 2015, setting out the plan to develop a comprehensive Strategy. The report provided detailed information on the method of consultation and the key messages arising from the consultation, as set out in paragraphs 3 and 4 of the report.

The report noted that should a substantial change in the reconfiguration of services be considered through the delivery of this strategy, this would require an Equality Impact Assessment and formal consultation.

The Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered this report on 21 July 2015 and its comments were set out in paragraph 8 of the report.

Reasons:

The Children’s and Young People Emotional Wellbeing Strategy sets out the key elements of the strategic framework for taking action to improve the emotional health and wellbeing support for Children and Young people in Medway. This will be delivered by implementing a comprehensive offer across the whole system, including education, health and social care.

The document responds to consultation with stakeholders across Medway during May and June 2015.