Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Health whether any recent assessment has been made of the adequacy of the level of mental health support available to families and carers of children with special educational needs and disabilities.
Minister of Health: Health and Social Care Trusts recognise that families and carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can experience significant emotional and psychological pressures and may require access to a range of mental health and wellbeing supports.
While no specific regional assessment has been undertaken solely in relation to the adequacy of mental health support available to families and carers of children with SEND, a number of recent reviews and strategic programmes have considered the wider provision of mental health services, including support for carers, families and children with additional needs. These include the Northern Ireland Mental Health Strategy 2021-2031 and subsequent implementation and deliverability reviews. The Strategy was developed through engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, including carers and people with lived experience, and promotes a whole-family, early intervention and person-centred approach to mental health support.
In addition, the Department is progressing the development of the Health and Social Care Children and Young People’s Emotional Health and Wellbeing (EHWB) Framework, which is intended to provide a consistent, system-wide approach to emotional health and wellbeing support for children and young people, including those with neurodevelopmental conditions and other additional needs. The Framework has been co-produced with a wide range of stakeholders, including parents, carers, children and young people, practitioners and voluntary and community sector organisations. Consultation feedback has highlighted the importance of accessible support for families and carers, early intervention, improved service navigation and stronger collaboration across health, education and community services. The analysis of consultation responses has helped inform the final Framework and future service development, with the aim of improving emotional health and wellbeing outcomes for children and young people and strengthening support available to their families and carers.
Health and Social Care Trusts continue to monitor demand across Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), Learning Disability Services, Family Support Services and commissioned community and voluntary sector provision. Trusts also routinely consider service user and carer feedback, waiting list data, referral activity and emerging needs as part of service planning and service improvement processes.
Support available to families and carers may include carer assessments, family support services, parenting programmes, emotional wellbeing initiatives, psychological support, signposting to community and voluntary sector services and, where appropriate, referral to specialist mental health services.
In addition, work is progressing on the development of a Regional CAMHS Intellectual Disability (ID) Model. The model is intended to improve access to specialist emotional wellbeing and mental health support for children and young people with an intellectual disability, recognising that this group is at increased risk of experiencing mental health difficulties and may require tailored assessment and intervention. The model aims to provide a more consistent regional approach to care, improve pathways into services, support earlier intervention and strengthen multidisciplinary working across services. This development will enhance support for children and young people with intellectual disabilities and contribute to improved outcomes for their families and carers.
The Department of Health’s Mental Health Strategy and associated early intervention programmes continue to emphasise the importance of supporting vulnerable groups, including children with disabilities and their families, and work is ongoing across Health and Social Care organisations to improve access to appropriate support within available resources.
ENDS
