A consultation is being launched as part of the Island’s commitment to put children first, with the Children, Young People, Education and Skills Department also seeking the views of parents and carers.
The work will involve developing a new model of care to improve emotional and mental wellbeing following a review earlier this year that found more needs to be done around jointly developing and delivering services.
Children’s Minister Sam Mézec said: ‘It will also ensure that there are clear pathways for when children and young people need more acute care during a crisis, or if they need to go into hospital or off-Island.
‘An important part of developing the new model of care is speaking with professionals who work with children and young people across a diverse range of sectors, families, parents and carers and children and young people.’
Previous reviews have also found youngsters find it difficult to find out what mental-health support is available and where. A page has been created on mental-health charity Mind Jersey’s website to point people in the right direction.
A series of workshops will be held over the next few months along with questionnaires for children and young people, parents, carers and professionals, with feedback able to be given until 31 January.
A final report will be published in April next year.
Education Minister Tracey Vallois added: ‘This piece of work will consider the whole emotional wellbeing and mental-health pathway for children and young people from perinatal mental-health support
to mothers and families during pregnancy, to early-years family support, through to improving the early-intervention offer in schools and the community.’
Islanders can take part in the consultation by emailing CYPMentalHealth@gov.je or by writing to Daniela Raffio, programme manager, Education Department, PO Box 142, Highlands Campus, Jersey, JE4 8QJ.
