Children & young people emotional wellbeing info & advice report
Download (PDF 347.6 KB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Worcestershire created this report as part of their focuss on engagement with young people, parents and carers on their experiences of accessing information, advice and support about health and emotional well-being.
Healthwatch Worcestershire identified engagement with young people and parents as a business priority following feedback received through previous engagement and surveys; including their Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Survey Report (February 2016) and Parents and Carers of Children Under 5 Survey Report (March 2016).
A total of 59 students studying health and social care took part in engagement sessions at two sixth form colleges, focussing on three topics:
1. Promoting positive emotional wellbeing
2. Accessing information, support and advice
3. School Health Service
A total of 8 recommendations were made for commissioners, Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust and schools and colleges to improve services for young people, including:
- Ensure that young people are made aware of on line information and resources –that these are easy to find via sites such as Google and NHS Choices and that they are promoted by schools and colleges and via Social Media.
- Ensure that children and young people are provided with reassurance and information about confidentiality and privacy when accessing support.
- Consider if it would be possible to extend the hours that Chat Health is available. As young people have found opportunities to visit School Health Nurses are limited and may prefer the anonymity and confidentiality of this service.
Three further recommendations were made to improve the experience for parents and carers:
1. Ensure that parents and carers are made aware of on line information and resources – that these are easy to find via sites such as Google and NHS Choices and that they are promoted by schools and via Social Media.
2. Consider additional ways for parents and carers to access information, such as drop in sessions to seek advice and access to online learning about mental health and emotional wellbeing.
3. Consider how to increase awareness of School Health Services and working with schools to encourage them to include information on their website, induction packs and give regular updates and reminders in newsletters and via email.
The report does not include a response from the service providers or comissioners.