I only recently left a role as Head of Children, Young People and Family Services. I know how much pressure services (and you as leaders) are under. I hope the resources, updates and information on this page and site are useful. If I can be of any help or support please do reach out. "It's good to talk."
Take care
Liam
Leading Change: Resources and Information for Leaders
CYPMH Competency Framework
This framework sets out the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed by professionals delivering mental health support to children, young people, and families.
It reflects the move away from a tiered service model towards a needs-led, person-centred approach, ensuring that children, young people and families receive the right help, in the right place, at the right time in a system that works together, (across health, education, social care and VCSE organisations) rather than siloed approaches.
The editable Competency Checklist Tool can be used by individuals and organisations to help evaluate and improve services.
Staying Safe from Suicide
The use of static risk stratification, is still widespread, but it is unacceptable.
80% of people in contact with mental health services who die by suicide are assessed as 'low' or 'no' risk at their last contact.
This guidance urges a more holistic, person-centred approach rather than relying on risk prediction, which is proven to be unreliable. It recommends using a method based on understanding each person's situation and managing their safety.
All mental health practitioners should follow these principles. But guidance alone isn't enough. Real change requires improvements in training, education and organisational culture.
Evaluating and Improving Children's Services
If you’re a manager or leader working in children’s emotional wellbeing and mental health services, this Self-Assessment Tool is a great place to start evaluating your service(s).
Freely available to download, it helps you reflect on your strengths, identify challenges, and decide where to focus your time, energy, and resources.
I've also written to all 42 ICB's in England, inviting their lead for Children and Young People's Mental Health to a free 1 day workshop in October.
Contact your local ICB to confirm they've taken up their place.
Underspent & Overstretched:
The Missed Opportunity in Every Service Budget
Access to staff training is crucial for service quality, staff wellbeing, and improving outcomes for those who need support.
With effective planning, the resources are already there to make it happen.
Read the short (500 word) briefing to find out how.
From Increasing Awareness to Improving Outcomes:
Raising Expectations in Children's (Mental Health) Services
Children's mental health is starting to get the attention it deserves, but that surge in awareness has opened the door to a wide range of new services offering solutions or help.
Raising awareness isn't enough. It's time to raise our expectations. Let's support what's good, challenge what's not, and keep children, young people and families at the centre of it all.
Read the short (900 word) briefing to find out how.
A new service model for children and adolescent mental health
A fully integrated and innovative example of a service model that operates without tiers.
It helps to create an inclusive, compassionate, stigma-free and youth-friendly environment.
Additionally, the model aims to prioritise recovery, early intervention, prevention and the development of resilience.
Confidential and Bespoke Support to
Empower System Leaders
Place Based System
Advice and Guidance tailored to the needs of the system. Focusing on transformation and improving quality, safety and efficiency.
Individual Coaching
Advice and Guidance tailored to the needs of an individual. Focusing on supporting them to leading transformation and improvements.
We all want the quality of Children's Services to be as high as it can be, and although there are similarities in some of the challenges we face (staff recruitment and retention, workforce training, financial pressures, high waiting lists and times) there are unique differences in every service and area.
Commission confidential support that is right for you and your teams.
For enquiries about bespoke support please email bookings@scypf.co.uk leave your contact details and a good time to call
Workforce Training
Members of your team can book a place on any of the modules currently available, to attend a multi-agency training day.
Or, I can bring the training to your organisation or team and tailor it to your needs.
The training programme is in 3 courses:
Foundation, Enhanced and Specialist.
Whilst it’s not a requirement for participants to complete all courses like a ladder, and organisations can pick the modules that are right for them, the training is designed to build upon the previous sections knowledge.
If you're unsure which module(s) is (are) the best fit for your team, please feel free to reach out, I'm happy to discuss and want to ensure any training is as useful and effective as it can be.
For a booking form, or any questions please email: bookings@scypf.co.uk
Mental Health staff in the NHS Staff Survey scored 'We are always learning' as the lowest of all 9 domains*.
Whilst I know training budget’s are tight and resources are limited, I also know that investing in supporting the workforce is truly worthwhile.
Both in improving the quality and safety of care, and also improving morale and likely impacts on recruitment, retention and reputation.
(*responses of 125,876 NHS staff working in Mental Health or Learning Disability Services)
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