Involving families in care planning

Scenario

Chloe, 14, has a history of self-harm. She has recently been admitted to an inpatient mental health unit following an overdose. Chloe lives with her dad, Jakob. Jakob works night shifts and relies on public transport. He complains to Chloe’s social worker that he has not been involved in any care planning discussions since Chloe has been admitted.

Action

Chloe’s social worker uses guidance on transition between inpatient mental health settings and community or care home settings to show staff on the ward the importance of supporting and involving families. The social worker is able to persuade the psychiatric team to arrange meetings at different times to fit with Jakob’s working pattern and reliance on public transport.

Further guidance

The guidance includes advice on building relationships with and supporting families, parents and carers throughout admission.

Relevant resources

Guidelines

• Children's attachment guideline

• Child abuse and neglect guideline

• Harmful sexual behaviour among children and young people guideline

• Looked-after children and young people guideline

• Social, emotional and mental wellbeing in primary and secondary education

• Transition between inpatient mental health settings and community or care home settings guideline

• Depression in children and young people guideline

Quality standards

• Children's attachment quality standard

• Child abuse and neglect quality standard

• Looked-after children and young people quality standard

• Transition between inpatient mental health settings and community or care home settings quality standard