Mental health services for Bexley children are praised

Mental health services for at-risk children in Bexley have been praised following an inspection by a group of government watchdogs.

Staff and leadership across Bexley’s children’s services, public health, police, health services and voluntary sector were commended in a report released earlier this month.

It came after Oftsed, alongside the Care Quality Commission, HMI Constabulary, Fire and Rescue services (HMICFRS) and HMI Probation (HMI Prob) undertook a joint inspection of the borough’s services in January.

Their work included a self-described “deep-dive” which focused on the response to children’s mental health needs.

In their report, senior leadership across the services was described as “stable and effective”.

“Leadership across health commissioners and providers is strong,” the report stated.

While the organisations mentioned in the report were largely applauded, the inspectors did highlight areas which could be improved.

“Response to concerns about children who go missing, or who are at risk of sexual exploitation and criminal exploitation, is not yet consistently strong for all children,” the report stated, however it did state the borough was aware of their comments.

It added there was a lack of recorded information on substance misuse by youth in the borough.