Wales Audit Office / Swyddfa Archwilio Cymru
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Urgent improvements needed in mental health services for children and young people in Wales
Joint report highlights weaknesses and recommends improvements
24/11/2009
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Report - Click here to download the report - Services for children and young people with emotional and mental health needs |
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Click here to view the press release |
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Links Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services: Everybody's Business, National Assembly Strategy Healthcare Inspectorate Wales website |
Mental health services in Wales are still failing many children and young people, despite some improvement in recent years. That is the conclusion of a report published jointly today by Healthcare Inspectorate Wales, the Wales Audit Office, Estyn, and Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales.
The report acknowledges the recent improvements that have been made. These include new funding streams to develop parenting and family intervention services, expanding school based counselling and the introduction of primary mental health workers who support professionals, such as GPs and school nurses, working with children and young people.
However, it highlights the barriers that are currently preventing further improvement - such as the way services are planned and provided, and issues around workforce development, staff training and performance management. The report makes 16 recommendations to the Assembly Government, health boards and local authorities in Wales.