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RQIA Independent Review of Child and Adolescent Mental Health ...

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Training frameworks for <strong>Child</strong> protection were reviewed using principles<br />

outlined in Cooperating to Safeguard <strong>Child</strong>ren (DHSSPS, 2003). The review<br />

identified that all CAMHS staff involved in looking after children <strong>and</strong> young<br />

people should be trained to a minimum <strong>of</strong> <strong>Child</strong> Protection Stage 2.<br />

The review team found a committed workforce aiming to provide a service<br />

which meets the mental health needs <strong>of</strong> the children <strong>and</strong> young people. This<br />

was supported by the positive experiences <strong>of</strong> CAMHS documented in the<br />

consultation with young people <strong>and</strong> their parents, providing further evidence<br />

<strong>of</strong> a developing service.<br />

Despite this, the review identified that more work needs to be done to ensure<br />

that children <strong>and</strong> young people with mental health needs will be seen by the<br />

right person at the right time in the right place. At present the absence <strong>of</strong><br />

extant guidance for CAMHS in Northern Irel<strong>and</strong> has resulted in each trust<br />

area developing services differently.<br />

Due to the absence <strong>of</strong> policy guidance <strong>and</strong> model for service provision, the<br />

terms <strong>of</strong> reference were developed using current Northern Irel<strong>and</strong> reports,<br />

inquiries <strong>and</strong> Departmental circulars. The review primarily assessed the<br />

progress <strong>of</strong> recommendations set out in the Bamford review. <strong>RQIA</strong><br />

recognises that the recommendations <strong>of</strong> the Bamford sub group on CAMHS<br />

were based on a longer term vision <strong>and</strong> investment plan. This review<br />

provides a baseline assessment <strong>of</strong> progress against that vision. The review<br />

team also considered the recommendations from the McCartan Report as<br />

they relate to CAMHS <strong>and</strong> the interface with adult mental health services.<br />

At the request <strong>of</strong> the Department <strong>of</strong> <strong>Health</strong>, Social Services <strong>and</strong> Public Safety<br />

(DHSSPS) the review team also undertook to assess the implementation <strong>of</strong><br />

recent departmental guidelines on the assessment <strong>and</strong> management <strong>of</strong> risk in<br />

CAMHS. The publication <strong>of</strong> Promoting Quality Care introduced the<br />

application <strong>of</strong> a risk assessment tool, Functional Assessment <strong>of</strong> the Care<br />

Environment (FACE) in CAMHS, which was still at an early stage <strong>of</strong><br />

implementation during the review. An overview <strong>of</strong> this is provided as part <strong>of</strong><br />

this report.<br />

The terms <strong>of</strong> reference for the review examined the availability <strong>of</strong> services for<br />

children <strong>and</strong> young people in Northern Irel<strong>and</strong>, the safeguards in place when<br />

a child is placed on an adult psychiatric ward <strong>and</strong> the transitional<br />

arrangements between CAMHS <strong>and</strong> adult mental health services.<br />

3

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