Introduction

1.   The Together for Children and Young People (T4CYP) Programme was launched in February 2015 following Welsh Government designating children and young people’s emotional and mental health a priority. With cross cabinet commitment, this multiagency service improvement programme aims to work at pace to consider ways to reshape, remodel and refocus the emotional and mental health services provided for children and young people in Wales.

2.   Professor Dame Sue Bailey, OBE, DBE, then Chair of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, member of the Children and Young People’s Mental Health taskforce in England and Consultant Child Psychiatrist was appointed by Welsh Government to provide external advice and scrutiny to the programme, supported by the Expert Reference Group with a broad membership. Carol Shillabeer, Chief Executive of Powys Teaching Health Board and Chair of the specialist CAMHS and Eating Disorder network in Wales is the Chair the programme. The key focus of the Programme is

a.    Resilience, well-being and early years: to consider issues of building early years resilience in children and young people

b.   Early intervention and enhanced support: to consider the concept of early intervention for a broad audience and explore its application in supporting young people’s mental health

c.    Addressing the needs of those with neurodevelopmental issues: to consider how best to meet the needs of those with neurodevelopmental issues in a timely and effective manner, with appropriate input from specialist CAMHS.

d.   Specialist CAMHS: starting with a baseline audit of provision, this work stream will develop a delivery and quality framework based on achieving consistent and improved outcomes across Wales.

In addition there are 3 cross cutting themes:

e.    Workforce, education and training

f.     Care Transitions

l"> From the starting point in 2014/15, it is felt that considerable progress can be evidenced. Embedding these improvements through local arrangements such as Regional Partnership Boards and Mental Health partnerships is critical. Furthermore, maximising the growing relationship with education is key in developing emotionally healthy community schools.