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15 October 2020 Dear Deputy Ward
Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the review of certain elements of the proposed Government Plan 2021-2024.
It is widely accepted that the offers' for those in care and leaving care (which were launched in February this year) have not been implemented at all well and we understand there is ongoing work to address this. With this in mind, I refer to CYPES - Review and realign the budget for care leavers with demand (no reduction to the service) – p.124. Part of which says:
"The Care Leavers package is a new entitlement for care leavers in 2020. It is being actively promoted and take up is expected to increase over time. Experience working with the scheme has shown that the full amount of new money is not required in the early years that existing budgets are able to absorb some of this activity and there is sufficient contingency in existing budgets to meet variations in demand."
The annual budget was set at £100,000 and the recommendation is to reduce it as this year's take- up has shown it to be too much.
What about using some of the savings for private mental health appointments?
In the Care Leaver's offer it says: "Protecting your mental wellbeing is as of equal importance as maintaining your physical wellbeing and all care leavers will be eligible to access a mental wellbeing officer/life coach who will work with you to ensure your mental health and wellbeing is also looked after."
From funding applications we have received, our charity is aware that CAMHS is under severe pressures and has a significant waiting list. Furthermore, it may be the case that some evidence- based therapies (particularly those for young people who have experienced significant trauma) such as the Comprehensive Resource Model, Somatic Experiencing and Sensorimotor Therapies, may not available via CAMHS (indeed they may even not be available privately in Jersey.)
If funds were available and there are local practitioners who are qualified to offer such psychological interventions we could begin to provide much needed therapeutic support to those who need it. Alternatively, the under-spend could be directed at strengthening much needed mental health support for young people in other ways.
Best regards
S.Harvey
Steve Harvey – Chief Executive, Brightly