Agenda item

Report of Interim Executive Director Neighbourhood Services

Purpose of report

Following a motion agree at Council in July 2024 to look at increasing spending in mental health initiatives from policy contingency budget for young people. It was subsequently agreed at the November 2024 Executive that the next step was for an increase in mental health provision within the Youth Activator team along with a research paper to be carried out by external provider to assess the needs of young people in Cherwell around mental wellbeing.

This report will outline the key findings from the research paper “Unmet Mental Health & Wellbeing Need in Primary School - Aged Children” that was delivered by MIND and agree next steps to address findings.

Recommendations

The Executive resolves:

1.1           To endorse the research paper “Unmet Mental Health & Wellbeing Need in Primary School - Aged Children”  in Cherwell.

1.2           To note the key findings in the research paper and agree to deliver a pilot movement and psychological support programme for a year for 8 – 11 year-olds in fifteen targeted schools through £50,000 Public Health funding and Wellbeing Team staff time to coordinate.

Resolved

(1)            That the research paper “Unmet Mental Health & Wellbeing Need in Primary School - Aged Children”  in Cherwell be endorsed.

(2)            That the key findings in the research paper be noted and it be agreed agree to deliver a pilot movement and psychological support programme for a year for 8 – 11 year-olds in fifteen targeted schools through £50,000 Public Health funding and Wellbeing Team staff time to coordinate.

The Interim Executive Director Neighbourhood Services submitted a report regarding mental health provision for young people in the district.

Following a motion agreed at Council in July 2024 to look at increasing spending in mental health initiatives from policy contingency budget for young people, it was subsequently agreed at the November 2024 Executive that the next step was for an increase in mental health provision within the Youth Activator team along with a research paper to be carried out by external provider to assess the needs of young people in Cherwell around mental wellbeing. The report outlined the key findings from the research paper “Unmet Mental Health & Wellbeing Need in Primary School - Aged Children” that was delivered by MIND and sought Executive agreement of the next steps to address findings.

Resolved

(1)            That the research paper “Unmet Mental Health & Wellbeing Need in Primary School - Aged Children”  in Cherwell be endorsed.

(2)            That the key findings in the research paper be noted and it be agreed agree to deliver a pilot movement and psychological support programme for a year for 8 – 11 year-olds in fifteen targeted schools through £50,000 Public Health funding and Wellbeing Team staff time to coordinate.

Reasons

Option 3 (access and deliver the £55,000 of Public Health funding to deliver a year-long pilot (April 2026–March 2027) across 15 Cherwell schools. The intervention will combine movement activities with evidence-based psychological strategies, coordinated by a current member of the Wellbeing Team, utilising existing hours to provide 18.5 hours per week for implementation in the targeted schools) is the most cost-effective approach, as it fully utilises the £55,000 Public Health funding without requiring additional internal budget. By reallocating existing Wellbeing Team hours to provide 18.5 hours per week for coordination, this option avoids extra staffing costs while still ensuring dedicated support for delivery.

The intervention combines movement activities with evidence-based psychological strategies, directly improving pupil wellbeing and resilience. Targeting 15 as a pilot in  Cherwell schools and communities means that pupils can benefit first from provision along with measuring impact, and a scalable model for future expansion into more schools and communities.

Alternative options

Option 1: Do not access and deliver the £55,000 funded intervention from Public Health targeting 15 schools piloted first in Cherwell for a year April 2026-March 2027 combining movement activities with evidence-based psychological strategies alongside not providing a wellbeing worker for 18.5 hours a week to coordinate the work in the targeted schools. Has been rejected due to it would mean not taking up the £55,000 Public Health-funded intervention, resulting in no pilot across 15 Cherwell schools, no integration of movement activities with psychological strategies along with coordination.

Option 2: Access and deliver the £55,000 of Public Health funding to deliver a year-long pilot (April 2026–March 2027) across 15 Cherwell schools. The intervention will combine movement activities with evidence-based psychological strategies, coordinated by a Wellbeing Worker employed for 18.5 hours per week, funded from the policy contingency budget, to ensure effective implementation and support in the targeted schools and communities settings. Rejected because, although it secures £55,000 of Public Health funding for a year-long pilot across 15 Cherwell schools, it requires additional funding from the policy contingency budget to cover the Wellbeing Worker’s 18.5 hours per week.