To receive a presentation on the work of Public Health in Children’s Services.

The Executive Member for Health introduced an overview of the work of the Children’s Public Health service.  The specific areas included responsibility for good mental health in children and adolescents, wellbeing and giving every child the best start in life.

In light of the report and clarification sought, the following queries were raised by Members:-

·         Why the 16-18 age group did not feature in the data sets for children that suffered with mental health illness.  The Assistant Director Public Health advised that the age ranges were national data sets and assured Members that support for children of 16-18 years was provided.  The new provider for Mental Health services in Central Bedfordshire had been commissioned to provide rapid access to their services and young people were also accessing the School Nurse provision.

·         Whether Government reductions in the Public Health budget would effect service provision.  The Executive Member for Health advised the amount of money to be provided to the Council was not yet known. However, there were reserves available to help meet any shortfall.  The reprovision of the Drug and Alcohol Services contract would realise savings and help balance the budget.

·         The current target to reduce the number of pregnant mothers that smoke in Central Bedfordshire.  The Assistant Director of Public Health advised the target was 13% for the whole of Bedfordshire.  Currently the percentage of mothers that smoked in the south of Central Bedfordshire was 18%.  Public Health, in partnership with GP’s and Midwifery services, provided help to mothers and partners to quit smoking.  A ‘kick ash’ campaign was also aimed at year 10 pupils in schools to prevent smoking.

·         What provision was available to engage and help vulnerable mothers at risk of having multiple children taken into care?  The Director of Children’s Services advised that this was an issue nationally and that she was looking to share good practice from a London Borough who had received additional resources to run an innovative pilot scheme aiming to reduce multiple removals of children at birth.

·         Concern that nationally and locally the number of children overweight and very overweight continued to rise.  In light of the cost to the NHS of treating diabetes and a threat to cut budgets, Members supported the Executive Member in his efforts to retain all Public Health monies.  Members were assured that children who were underweight were monitored and parents made aware of any concerns.

RECOMMENDED

1.    That the provider for Children and Adolescents Mental Health Service be invited to attend a future meeting of the Committee to outline the new provision.

That a report outlining provision for vulnerable mothers at risk of having more than one child taken into Care at birth be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee.