Analysis of Local Transformation Plans for children’s mental health services
Every year the NSPCC examines the extent to which Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) in England are taking into account the increased vulnerability of certain groups of children and young people (including those who have been abused or neglected) when planning local mental health services.
Each CCG’s Local Transformation Plan is given a rating based on how well it captures the needs of children:
- Red means the plan contains no recognition of the increased vulnerability of some children and young people (including those who have been abused or neglected) to mental health problems.
- Amber means the plan includes some recognition of increased vulnerability of groups of children and young people to mental health problems. It may include data from service provision and Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA).
- Green means the plan makes explicit use of data from service provision and JSNA about children and young people vulnerable to mental health problems. The plan also uses data to assess local need and inform service provision.
Key findings from Transforming mental health services for children who have been abused: July 2019.
In 2019, we examined the fourth round of mental health service plans. Almost all of the 195 Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) in England were covered by a Local Transformation Plan. The most recent report found some positive steps have been taken since the previous rounds of assessment, with more CCGs recognising the particular needs of children who have been abused and neglected.
Key findings:
- There have been improvements in the way local partners consider the needs of the most vulnerable. 18% of areas are covered by green rated plans, the highest figure so far.
- The percentage of CCGs with red rated plans has fallen from 37% in 2015/16 to 2% this year.
- However there is still inconsistency in the way the needs of children who have been abused are taken into account in mental health commissioning.
Download the report
We recommend NHS England, commissioners and local partners should prioritise the needs of children who have experienced abuse and commission services with a commitment to ensuring that those who have been abused benefit from specialist mental health provision.
Citation
Please cite as: NSPCC (2019) Transforming mental health services for children who have been abused: July 2019. London: NSPCC.
Download full report
Transforming mental health services for children who have been abused: July 2019 (PDF)