The mental health needs of looked after children

Young people in the care system have a much higher rate of mental health problems than those in the general population.

Failure to acknowledge and treat these problems may cause difficulties for these children ranging from placement breakdowns to more serious mental health problems in later life.

Developed with a number of professionals, the book aims to help those caring for and working with these vulnerable young people to: identify and understand the mental health problems and social issues that may exist for these children; be made aware of the importance of recognising mental health problems and therefore the importance of prevention; and improve understanding of current developments in child and adolescent mental health services, specifically jooint working between health and social services.

Issues covered range from depression, sexual abuse, learning disabilities and conduct disorder to teenage pregnancies, parental mental illness, school exclusion and leaving care.

These various mental health problems and social care issues are brought to life through a number of vignettes. The book offers questions regarding the issues are answered by experts and children's views on the problems they face when in care are conveyed in poems.

Government's objectives and targets are set out from Quality Protects and National Priorities Guidance.

Information is provided on the Mental Health Specific Grant Projects for the various issues as well as other regional initiatives.

Examples are given of innovative practice in joint work between health and social services.

Also provided are details of useful contacts for organizations and agencies.