Over 40,000 abused children in North East England let down by failing NHS mental health plans
NSPCC calling on NHS bodies to urgently plan for the mental health needs of children who have been abused
More than 40,000 children in the North East of England who have been abused or neglected are living in an area with inadequate planning for their mental health needs, new NSPCC research estimates.
The charity analysed the latest annual plans published by NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) which set out how they will care for children’s mental health, and found that 88 per cent in England, and 77 per cent in North East England, were failing to properly plan for the needs of vulnerable children including those who had been abused.
All 195 CCGs in England were given a traffic light rating by the NSPCC and for 2017/18, 146 were rated amber and 21 were rated red. In the North East of England, six CCGs were rated amber, one was rated red and two green. Two failed to provide a plan.
This means that an estimated 1.3 million abused children in England, and 46,000 in North East England, are living in an area with inadequate plans for their mental health needs, or with no plans for their care whatsoever.
In addition, more than half of CCGs in the North East with plans have stagnated and received an amber rating for the second year running, with no apparent improvements in planning for the mental health needs of abused children.
The NSPCC is calling on all NHS CCGs to urgently recognise and plan for the increased mental health needs of children who have been abused.
Research shows that adults who have suffered abuse in childhood are twice as likely to develop clinical depression. Early support is key to minimising the long- term impact of mental health issues.
In 2016/17, one in three Childline counselling sessions related to mental and emotional health and wellbeing issues. In 36 per cent of Childline counselling sessions where abuse was the main concern, the young person also discussed their mental and emotional health, suicidal feelings or self-harm2.
Almudena Lara, NSPCC’s head of policy and public affairs, said: “We recognise the hard work of NHS staff providing much-needed mental health services to young people. These ratings are not a reflection on those services and the staff working to deliver them.
“But our analysis shows that there are CCGs across the England that are still not properly planning for the mental health needs of abused children and young people. It is crucial these children are supported to get back on track and lead healthy lives.
“In future we want to see more CCGs not only recognise the needs of these children, but go further and ensure services are there to support them.”
NHS England has stipulated that CCGs must update their plans annually and the NSPCC is calling on all CCGs to develop clearer strategies to meet the mental health needs of children who have been abused in their 2018/19 updated plans and all future plans