Important developments

New Multi-Agency Team leaflet: for young people, parents and carers

A new leaflet for young people, their parents and carers about the Multi-Agency Teams in Shropshire has just been launched and can be located under Publications.

Amendments to the Closure Summary Form

The reasons for closure on the ISA Closure Summary Form (now version 3) have been changed to reflect all possible outcomes to the ISA process (as reviewed by the MAT Managers). This will enable more effective information management which will support service delivery and inform future planning.

TAC Worksheets

The TAC (Team Around the Child) worksheets have been designed to allow children and young people to 'have a voice' in the TAC when they don't want to attend. The Lead Professional or a member of the TAC can approach the child prior the TAC meeting to gain their views which can be shared with professionals at the TAC.

Children who attend West Felton Primary School and a young person from Ludlow Youth Centre helped to design the worksheets.

CAF and TAC Form Update

The CAF form has now changed to version 6. The changes have been made so that the MATs are able to better monitor and understand the main reasons why Common Assessments are being undertaken which will help to inform training and local needs analysis.

Future plans for changes: By focussing on the reasons why Common Assessments are being undertaken, we hope to move towards evidencing how interventions are supporting children and young people in achieving improved outcomes.

In addition, the TAC form has also changed to version 6. Consent only now needs to be given and signed if there has been no CAF or the consent has changed since the last consent statement was completed.

We are currently planning additional changes to the CAF/TAC/Closure Summary form(s) and to the training/support which we provide. These changes are planned for the autumn. If you require any further information please contact: Nick Middleton on (01743) 254345 or email: nick.middleton@shropshire.gov.uk.

Targeting Mental Health in Schools Pathfinder

Shropshire Council, with partners Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Primary Care Trusts, has become one of 25 national pathfinders for a Targeting Mental Health in Schools (TMHS) project.

TMHS offers an opportunity for 14 schools and a range of partner agencies in north Shrewsbury initially to develop a programme of support for children and young people based on a whole-school approach which promotes positive behaviour and successful relationships. The project will develop a menu of support that can be provided for all children and young people and will allow schools to become more skilled at recognising those children and young people who are most at risk of or showing signs of emotional and behaviour problems so that specific help can be provided for them and their parents.

The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHs) estimates that there could be over 4,000 children and young people aged 5-17 in the county suffering from a mental health problem. The most common mental health issues in children and young people are conduct disorders, emotional disorders, anxiety disorders, depression and hyperkinetic disorders.

Remodelling Social Work Pilot

Shropshire Council has also become one of 11 national pilots to test out new ways of working in social work. Our pilot is based over the Oswestry and Market Drayton Multi Agency Teams, and will demonstrate, explore and develop innovative evidence-based social work practice. In particular, we aim to enhance further the working relationship between schools and social workers that will ensure children and young people remain within schools and succeed in their education. Staff in the pilot area will receive training in solution-focussed methods to support young people experiencing difficulties. The pilot will be externally evaluated over three years, and learning shared both locally and nationally.