Supporting inter-generational need

Scenario

Farzana, 13, is blind, has a moderate learning disability and is experiencing depression following the loss of her father. Farzana’s mum, Shazia, has said how worried she is about Farzana. She also says that she feels overwhelmed as she is a carer for her own mother, who has dementia and lives with them in the family home.

Action

Farzana’s social worker uses guidance on depression in children and young people to feel assured that Farzana is being offered appropriate support for her depression. They also use guidance on assessment, management and support for people living with dementia and their carers to help prepare for a sensitive discussion with Shazia about her needs. Following the discussion Shazia agrees to a carer’s assessment and information about how her mother could be supported by adult services.

Further guidance

The guidance includes advice about the recognition and management of depression in children and highlights that people who live with a person with dementia could be at an increased risk of depression.

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