Stakeholder feedback - Havering’s Babies, Children and Young People Emotional Wellbeing - Survey for Local Services

THEY SAID

We received 15 responses to our online consultation. 

• We had a variety of responses from different organisations, including the NHS, the Local Authority, the voluntary sector and Education. 

• Collectively, they described providing a broad mix of early intervention, targeted support and specialist provision to support the emotional wellbeing of babies, children and young people. This includes school-based programmes, counselling and mentoring, and low‑intensity therapeutic interventions. Provision often combines whole‑school approaches with one‑to‑one and group support, alongside family and parent programmes, and activities such as youth clubs and wellbeing sessions that promote emotional resilience and social connection. 

• Respondents were asked how the support they provide aligns to the THRIVE Framework: 

• 12 (80%) said it aligns to ‘Thriving – help children and young people to stay well (e.g. resilience workshops and sports and leisure activities)’. 

• 12 (80%) said it aligns to ‘Getting Advice – give advice and signposting (e.g. helplines, drop-ins)’. 

• 11 (73%) said it aligns to ‘Getting Help – provide focused goals-based input (e.g. counselling)’. 

• 7 (46%) said it aligns to ‘Getting More Help – provide more extensive and specialist and specialised goals-based support, e.g. CAMHS interventions)’. 

• 6 (40%) said it aligns to ‘Getting Risk Support – support for those who are unable to engage or benefit from interventions but remain high-risk and in contact with services (e.g. crisis teams or multi-agency management teams)'. 

• Respondents said they collect a range of data to understand and improve their services, including attendance and referral information, basic demographic details, and pre‑ and post‑intervention measures such as wellbeing or behaviour change. They also gather feedback from children, young people and families through comments and case studies, and one respondent said they track progress against their overall targets. 

• Respondents highlighted several key strengths across their services. These include strong partnership working with schools and other agencies, regular monitoring and use of data, and clear evidence of positive impact on young people’s wellbeing. Respondents emphasised a consistent, whole setting approach where emotional wellbeing is embedded into daily practice, supported by trained staff and accessible support for children and families. Services are described as responsive and person‑centred, with effective referral processes, timely access to support, and a focus on building trust through regular contact and safe, consistent environments. 

• Respondents highlighted several common challenges across their services, particularly around limited funding, staffing and increasing demand, which mean many organisations are unable to meet need or sustain provision long term. Respondents also identified gaps in specialist support—especially for children with complex needs or those experiencing emotional based schools' avoidance (EBSA) - as well as pressures on time and resources within schools. Wider issues such as inconsistent partnership working, difficulties navigating multiple pathways, and the impact of family circumstances, including parental mental health and socioeconomic factors, were also seen as ongoing barriers to delivering effective support. 

• The top three main barriers for children and their families accessing emotional well-being support were, jointly, Long Waiting Times (73%) and Lack of Awareness of Available Support (73%), followed by Parental Engagement or Consent Issues (46%). 

Feedback suggests several unmet needs remain across their services, particularly for children whose needs sit between existing thresholds, such as those not meeting CAMHS criteria but requiring more than early help support. Gaps were also identified in provision for specific groups, including children with EBSA, neurodivergent young people, early years children, isolated families, and those from refugee, ethnic minority or LGBTQ+ communities. Respondents also highlighted a lack of timely access to support, limited alternatives to counselling (such as therapeutic or activity-based provision), and insufficient support for families, siblings and wider networks. Overall, there is a clear need for earlier intervention, more inclusive and flexible support, and improved pathways to prevent needs escalating into crisis. 

WE DID 

We have incorporated the findings from the survey into the health needs assessment, and this insight will inform the recommendations developed with local partners.  

The health needs assessment is due to be finalised in summer 2026.