Primary Mental Health Workers in EducationSarah Davies & Sarah Jones

Promoting positive mental health and emotional well being of children and young people in Wrexham

National and local context for PMHWiE role NHS Health Advisory Service (1995) Together

We Stand Welsh Assembly Government (2001)

Everybody's Business DfES (2004) Every Child Matters Next Steps DH (2004) NSF for Children, Young People and

Maternity Services Wrexham CAMHS Strategy and Implementation

Plan. July 2005 – Sept 2010 CAMHS Review (2008)

National imperatives state Tier 1 should: Identify those who need help early in the

development of the problem Offer advice and support to those with

mild or minor problems Have sufficient knowledge of specialist

services to be able to refer on appropriately as necessary

Contribute towards mental health promotion

Our Principles

Promoting positive mental health and emotional well being

Supporting staff in schools to enhance their own skills and confidence

Encouraging early identification and intervention

Working in partnership with schools

Spring term 2008 Mapping existing provision within schools and

external agencies Understanding existing structures Establishing relationships Developing a shared understanding of the role Networking/ liaison with other agencies Planning evaluation (audit and outcome

measures) Developing resources and information for schools Setting up systems, e.g. defining access routes to

PMHWiE service and developing recording systems and paperwork

Creating service leaflet

Service delivery to Pilot schools (April – Dec 2008) Pilot project – 3 high schools and their primary

clusters Work in high schools:

Consultation Joint working Direct work with children and young people Universal mental health promotion Targeted group work Training

Service delivery to Pilot schools (April – Dec 2008)Area of work Total

Consultations about individual pupils 93

Requests from school staff for information on mental health issues

29

Direct work/ assessments 20

Referrals to Tier 3 CAMHS/ liaison 8

Pupils accessing universal mental health promotion sessions

350

Pupils accessing targeted group work (e.g. managing exam stress)

33

School staff trained in child and adolescent mental health awareness

67

Key learning points and recommendations Developed an understanding of what needs

to be in place in schools for the service to be effective

Most successful when all aspects of the service are taken up by schools

Ongoing development of interface and pathways between services

Recommendation that number of PMHWiE posts be increased to provide wider coverage across Wrexham schools

Feedback from pilot schools… “It has been very useful to talk to the health

workers and have time for detailed consultation. Their work regarding individual pupils has been invaluable to them.” (School based professional).

“I feel more confident in dealing with this type of issue, both as a result of my increased knowledge and knowing I have the back up of the PMHWiE.” (School based professional).

“I feel that it is now possible to be more pro active and to intervene much earlier.” (School based professional).

What next?

PMHWiE Service evaluation report Next steps…