Understanding & Promoting the Mental Health Needs of Children & Young People Chris Anderson Talking Life Seminars

Introducing Chris Anderson Is an Independent Social Worker & Trainer, who has also Chaired Fostering Panels and also undertakes work with other Fostering Panels. Is an experienced Trainer who has worked extensively with Foster Carers, Care Workers and Social Workers as a Trainer, Assessor and Study Supervisor. Has worked as a Social Worker & Manager for over twenty years.

Welcome Working Together Confidentiality Listening Skills Comfort breaks Time keeping. Respect Skills Sharing Mobile Phones

The Aims of today’s course To explore and promote the mental health needs of children and young people with special needs To enable those who work and meet children and young people with special needs to have a better understanding of their needs and care.

A learning disability may mean... a child or young person may have a reduced ability to understand or communicate their views and or needs a reduced ability to manage complex information a limited ability to mange and function socially

18/09/20156 A physical disability means... a child or young person may not be able to express their wishes or needs verbally a family member or carers may be required to aid with communication the health professional may not understand the abilities of the child or young person the child or young person may be embarrassed, or unable to express their needs

18/09/20157 Facts There are approximately 250,000 people with what can be labelled as severe learning difficulties and between 500,000 and 1.5 million with mild learning disabilities ( some are not even recognised)

18/09/20158 Facts Every week babies are born with complex and special needs Over 200 babies are born with learning disabilities every week 9 out of 10 people with learning disabilities get bullied

18/09/20159 Health It is a known fact that people with leaning disabilities have more complex physical and emotional health needs. The psychological health needs of children and young people with special needs is often not understood or recognised.

18/09/ Health Children with disabilities may express their emotional and physiological needs physically rather than verbally It is important carers are able to advocate and promote the needs of the children and young people in their care.

18/09/ Health It is sadly a known fact that people with learning disabilities have a lower life expectancy. (Radio 4 health programme 2013)

18/09/ Health People with learning disabilities and special needs are also more likely to have – Undiagnosed mental illness – General health difficulties – Such as – Oral health – Sensory needs – Obesity

18/09/ Health Children and young people with special needs are less likely to have their emotional health recognised and treated. Children and young people may be over prescribed with medication or medicated inappropriately as their needs are not recognised or understood.

18/09/ Health Adolescents with learning disabilities and or special needs may not be supported to access sexual health care, or be given advice they can understand or access easily Failing to understand and address the sexual health needs of adolescents can lead to emotional and mental illness

18/09/ Promoting the mental heath needs of children and young people Mencap in their report ‘ Treat me right’ 2004 said the following – More training for health staff – Making hospital and doctor visits easier – Longer appointments & more time – Make information more accessible

18/09/ Promoting the mental heath needs of children and young people The health professional communicates clearly. A basic course in sign language may help BSL or Makaton Using appropriate language and terms the child or young person recognises Listening to the carers and taking their advice

18/09/ Mental Illness Does not only effect adults It affects children & teenagers Mental illness is a real problem for children & young people as well as adults

18/09/ Looking through a Child’s eyes Adults may not understand how difficult children's problems can be for them. Pressures of school Growing up Peer groups Bullying

18/09/ Important messages Every child’s mental health is important Many children have mental health problems These problems are real These problems can be severe Mental health problems can be recognised & treated Caring families or carers can help promote and understand the mental health needs of children and young people