Commissioned by NHS Somerset ICB, this report was developed by a multi-agency group including NHS Somerset Foundation Trust, Healthwatch Somerset, Somerset Council, Somerset Parent Carer Forum, NHS Somerset and Spark Somerset. The work followed the decommissioning of Somerset Big Tent, and aimed to understand how people now access mental health support. 

The findings reinforce what young people, parents and professionals have previously shared: that there are persistent barriers to finding reliable and accessible information about mental health services.

Key findings

• Children and young people predominantly depend on their peers and parents for information and support
• Children, young people, parents, carers, and the people supporting them all express a strong desire for a greater emphasis on early intervention
• The pathways to support are often unclear, leaving individuals uncertain about their eligibility for services and the appropriate timing for access
• There is a need to address the gap between Young Somerset and CAMHS services to ensure cohesive support

Recommendations

The report recommends to development of a central, reliable and regularly updated hub for mental health information. It also highlights the need for:

• Resources such as cards which are small, helpful, and easy to read
• Clear pathways that are published in one place
• Clarity about who can access services and when this should happen
• Focus on early intervention
• Work to address the gap between Young Somerset and CAMHS services

To read the report in full, please click here.

Get involved

If you’d like to discuss the report further or have a suggestion for potential resources, our Partnership Manager for Children & Young People’s Mental Health, Liz Loud, would love to hear from you. Get in touch by emailing liz.loud@sparksomerset.org.uk.