Familiar challenges, promising solutions. Edinburgh Connect: a mental health consultation service for residential care staff working with looked after and accommodated children

Abstract

Prevalence rates of mental health problems and psychiatric disorders among children and young people who are looked after and accommodated (LAAC) are higher than among the general population. The literature draws attention to key challenges for services in seeking to respond effectively to the mental health needs of LAAC children and young people that are related to awareness, service access and organisation and prioritisation of need. Edinburgh Connect was established to provide a mental health service for looked after and accommodated children by supporting residential units and foster carers in the city through consultation. Drawing on the findings of an independent evaluation, this article focuses on the practical application of the Edinburgh Connect model of consultation and its effects, to consider the implications for practice and for service development.