Objective 9.2:
Deliver more effective services to infants, children, young people and their families
Action 9.2.1:
Review configuration of child and youth mental health services and respond to findings
The PHN, guided by the Infant, Child and Youth Mental Health Partnership Group, led a review of child and youth mental health system in the region. Using a systems approach, the Review intended to help deepen the understanding of the child and youth mental health services landscape; the gaps in service delivery; and the challenges to a more coordinated and integrated response; as well as to help inform commissioning decisions moving forward.
The Review utilised design as a tool and approach to understand people’s needs, envision solutions and facilitate co-operation to make change happen.
Forty six service providers and stakeholders and 32 consumers engaged in the co-design process, sharing their experiences and journeys in the child and youth mental health service system. Two co-design workshops were held with the Partnership Group that shaped the development of system insights.
Key Achievements
Seven core system insights emerged during the discovery phase that reflect the conflict between the drivers and constraints of the child and youth mental health system, as well as the needs of service providers, children young people and their families.
Key Learnings
Stakeholders in the region were clearly invested in achieving good outcomes – openly sharing their views about what is and is not working, with a real passion to do things better. There was a genuine interest in taking a deeper dive into the issues service providers and consumers experience across the region and a readiness for change. However, there was also a sense of facing significant systemic barriers based with structures and funding arrangements beyond their control.
A highlight of the process was the strong and meaningful engagement of young people in telling their story – this was noted as critical for developing a deeper understanding of system challenges and opportunities.
What’s Next?
The outcomes and insights from the Review will continue to guide regional planning work led by the Partnership Group and inform commissioning decisions moving forward, and will feature in the revised chapter of the Refreshed Regional Plan (due for release mid 2020).
