Parental Mental Health

It is acknowledged and evidenced that children and young people who have a parent or carer who is struggling with mental ill health are more at risk of failing to meet their full potential physically, emotionally and academically than those who don’t. GOV (2021).

It is now globally accepted that if the right support is offered to families by the right service at the right time the outcomes for children and young people are significantly improved and both the risks and vulnerabilities children and young people are exposed to can be significantly reduced. The Think Family document, GOV (2018) outlines how engaging with partnership working promotes accessibility and the overall experience of working with professionals for families.

Working together, GOV (2018) calls for all services working with Children, young people and families to coordinate their response to need by working with families in a more restorative way when support is needed. By listening to individuals and families and encouraging their voice to be heard, professionals can coordinate and implement the most effective response whilst looking to empower families to be involved in sustaining changes.

References:

GOV (2021) Supporting Families – 2021-22 and beyond

GOV (2018) Working together to safeguard children and young people. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications?keywords=&publication_filter_option=all&departments%5B%5D=department-for-education&commit=Refresh+results

GOV (2018) Think family – think solutions that benefit everyone. http:socialworkwithadults.blog.gov.uk

Local Resources

• West Yorkshire Online Procedures
• Working with Parents and Carers who experience Mental-ill Health Protocol 

This guidance supports professionals from different disciplines and agencies in working together to share knowledge and expertise, assess the needs of children (including the unborn) and families, and provide the necessary support to ensure those needs are met.

Single Point of Access (SPA)- Calderdale and Kirklees

The Calderdale and Kirklees Single Point of Access team receives all referrals for mental health services in Calderdale and Kirklees. The team directs all the referrals to the most appropriate Trust services or advises the referrer of the best organisation to contact.

• South West Yorkshire NHS
• Touchstone Support

National Resources

• www.scie.org.uk
• www.nspcc.org.uk
• www.mentalhealth.org.uk

Useful links /Which service meets your needs?

NSPCC: Information and support for families and professionals around protection children and young people from abuse in all of its forms.

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/child-protection-system/parental-mental-health/

Social care institute of excellence: Resources for professionals, information, training and e learning.

www.scie.org.uk

Useful resources for Parents / Carers

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-a-z-mental-health-guide/parental-mental-illness/  – A website which has specific areas for young people, parents and professionals which provides information support and training

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/p/parents-and-mental-health

A website for parents and carers which has access to support services and information

Key Lessons…

• NSPCC

You might also be interested in….

• Parental Learning Disability
• Parental Substance Misuse
• Domestic Abuse