Recommendation[i]

Cabinet

Member[ii]

Response[iii]

Timetable[iv]

Lead Officer[v]

1.   That from July 2014 a joint mental health services meeting be held on a six monthly basis between Maidstone Borough Council, Kent County Council, Mental Health Trust, MTW and the West Kent Clinical Commissioning Group to communicate and share information to ensure mental health and mental health services remain an on-going priority.  This group to develop an action plan to include the following:

a.    That a single point of access to mental health services is developed providing access to all cases of mental health and not just the more severe cases;

b.    That the Maidstone Borough Council Community Development Team ensure there is continued engagement between the West Kent Clinical Commissioning Group, Kent County Council Public Health and the Community, Charitable and Voluntary sectors and Maidstone Borough Council to ensure mental health services are commissioned on a well-informed basis;

c.    That the plausibility of a central county self-assessment team or unit for mental health be investigated with a view to providing a cost effective and viable service for Kent;

d.   Building on the success of the Street Triage Pilot, that  the above group work with Kent Police and NHS Mental Health Teams to provide access to a 24 hour mental health service advice line for all police officers;

e.    That the Community Development Team promote the Live it Well website as a priority via its communication channels to ensure its profile is raised and maintained.

Cllr J Wilson

Regular meetings have already been set up led by Kent Public health and involving West Kent local authorities and CCG.

This meeting will develop an action plan focused on developing a prevention and commissioning approach, with current priorities identified as dementia, children (in particular, the need for more timely access to services) and mental health.

1a: This recommendation requires substantial investment by both Kent County Council and CCGs within the County - the recommendation will be raised with both KCC and WKCCG for their consideration.

1b: This work will form part of the meeting above and will ensure involvement of all parties across West Kent.

1c: This recommendation requires substantial investment by both Kent County Council and CCGs within the County – the recommendation will be raised with both KCC and WKCCG for their consideration. 

1d: Locally a pilot project is being scoped out with Kent Police, CRI, Mental Health Teams and trainee GPs, led by housing to support work with our street population.

The roll out of the street triage pilot is being considered at county level.

1e: The Community Development Team is being trained on the live it well website and its core message of 6 ways to well-being.  The team will promote the Live It Well website through all its’ communication channels and embed the principles in delivery of projects and commissioning through the team.

First meeting to be set up by July 2014

Katie Latchford

2.   That Maidstone Borough Council’s Community Development Team ensure professionals and the community can access information on child and adolescent mental health services provided by NHS Kent and Sussex via the Council’s website ‘In the Stone’ and the borough update;

Cllr J Wilson

Information on the mental health services available to children and adolescents in Maidstone will be made available through MBC website, the youth focused ‘in the stone’ website and the Borough update.  This will include information on services provided by the Sussex Partnership, but also by local VCS providers who can offer support. 

Website by May 2014

Borough update in first 6 months

Katie Latchford

3.   That the Maidstone Borough Council Community Development Team continue to support the Suicide Awareness for Everyone (SAFE) project via funding and their various communication channels, for example ‘In the Stone’ website;

Cllr J Wilson

Commissioning intentions for the commissioning for prevention fund from KCC Public Health have been set and continuation funding allocated to the SAFE project in Maidstone.

As part of the Service Level Agreement MBC has with Voluntary Action Within Kent who run the project, there is an expectation that they will increase their communications work and raise their profile in Maidstone.  The Community Development Team will support them to identify channels and publications to fulfil this obligation.

Complete by September 2014 

Katie Latchford

4.    That Maidstone Borough Council’s Community Development team together with their partners encourage prevention and early intervention in mental health and well-being by developing a pilot project aimed at primary school children and their parents to develop coping strategies when moving to secondary school;

Cllr J Wilson

Commissioning intentions for the commissioning for prevention fund from KCC Public Health have been set and funding set aside to develop a pilot project in primary schools that supports the development of strong mental health coping strategies to aid transition and development in to adolescence.

Pilot commissioned by July 2014 

Katie Latchford

5.    That a letter of support from the Chairman of the Communities, Leisure Services and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee is sent to Patrick Leeson, Corporate Director of Education, Learning and Skills at Kent County Council supporting the ‘Coping and Resilience Strategy’ and ‘Early Intervention and Prevention Strategy’ being adapted to include children of primary school age and PSHE programmes raising awareness of mental health and well-being in schools.

The Community Development Team will provide information to Tessa Mallet to aid in her drafting of the letter of support.

Tessa Mallett/Cllr. Blackmore