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WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES BY DEPUTY M.R. HIGGINS OF ST. HELIER
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 4th FEBRUARY 2014
Question
- Do the Children's Service or the Children and Adult and Mental Health Service refuse to have meetings with vulnerable members of society and if so, on what basis is such a refusal made?
- Does the Minister allow the employees within the Children's Service or the Children and Adult and Mental Health Service to operate with impunity for their actions?
Answer
Firstly, on a point of accuracy, CAMHS is the Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service which focuses on working with, and supporting, children and young people under the age of 18. The role of the Health and Social Services CAMHS team is to provide specialist CAMHS treatment and support as part of the overall comprehensive CAMHS strategic framework which involves many agencies including schools, the youth service, GPs etc.
a) No. The CAMHS team would, and do, wherever it is appropriate, meet with vulnerable members of society. Refusal to do so would only ever be where the circumstances of the individual case deem it inappropriate.
Providing mental health services for children and young people is a complex area, often involving children and families in very difficult and sensitive situations. The Children's Service will always seek to work in co-operation with them, as well as with all other agencies involved in the safety and wellbeing of children and young people as part of the Comprehensive CAMHS strategic framework.
Inevitably, problems can occur at times and, on such occasions, the Children's Service strives to remain flexible and creative in trying to ensure that good levels of communication are maintained.
In answer to Part b) No.
All staff employed by Health and Social Services are subject to professional standards laid down by their professional body and/or the terms and conditions of employment for the States of Jersey, and appropriate procedures are in place to deal with any staffing issue, should any concern be raised.