Lincolnshire chosen for pathfinder mental health project » Local Government » 24dash.com

Lincolnshire has been chosen as one of only 25 pathfinder sites in the country to take part in a Targeted Mental Health in Schools project, over the next three years.

The aim is to provide additional resources into targeted schools to help them develop a whole school approach to the positive emotional well-being of children and young people. It will also provide early access to psychological therapies for young people experiencing mental ill health.

The successful bid is a result of joint working between Lincolnshire County Council, the National Health Service in Lincolnshire, and county schools.

The pilot will be centred on St Clement’s College in Skegness and feeder primary schools; The Haven High Technology College in Boston and feeder primary schools; and The Giles School in Old Leake together with The Tennyson High School in Mablethorpe and feeder primary schools. Schools will work in close partnership with the Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service, and various other children’s services.

Councillor Mrs Christine Talbot, Executive Councillor for Secondary Education and Healthier Communities, added: “We are committed to the emotional, health and well-being of all young people in our schools, and many of them are already carrying out some good work for the benefit of their pupils.

"This is an opportunity for us to make progress in this important area and we are looking forward to extending the already strong partnership work with the schools in the Boston, Skegness, and Mablethorpe areas.”

Councillor Mrs Patricia Bradwell, Executive Councillor for Children’s Services, said: “The project is intended to enhance the learning environment and create an effective climate for all children, and school-based therapeutic work for children and young peopole who are experiencing problems.

"We are delighted to have been chosen as one of the pathfinder authorities which will enable us to develop this service in Lincolnshire over the next three years.”

John McIvor, Chief Executive of Lincolnshire PCT, said: "We are delighted to be working in partnership with the County Council and local schools to deliver the kind of preventative services the people of Lincolnshire told us they wanted in our consultation on shaping health in Lincolnshire.

"We are committed to developing preventative and early intervention services as part of our programme to improve the health of the population of Lincolnshire and the services which support them.”

Paul Jackman, Director of Child and Family Services at Lincolnshire Partnership Trust, added: “This is an excellent opportunity to promote integrated working between the Trust and the County Council to provide improved services for Lincolnshire children and their families.”

Lincolnshire will be given nearly £700,000, split over three years, to fund the project.