The mental health services available to at-risk children in Bexley have been praised following a “deep-dive” inspection by a group of government watchdogs.

Staff and leadership across Bexley’s Children’s Services, public health, police, health services and voluntary sector were commended in a report released earlier this month.

It came after Oftsed, alongside the Care Quality Commission, HMI Constabulary, Fire and Rescue services (HMICFRS) and HMI Probation (HMI Prob) undertook a joint inspection of the borough’s services in January.

Their work included a self-described “deep-dive” which focused on the response to children’s mental health needs.

In their report, senior leadership across the services was described as “stable and  effective”.

“Leadership across health commissioners and providers is strong,” the report stated.

“Commissioners and providers are active and influential participants in the safeguarding partnership, and most provide effective safeguarding governance and assurance.”

“Staff across the services inspected are highly committed and motivated professionals, who demonstrate a good understanding of children living with mental health issues.”

“In most cases seen, timely multi-agency strategy discussions result in swift and timely actions.”

While the organisations mentioned in the report were largely applauded, the inspectors did highlight areas which could be improved. 

“Response to concerns about children who go missing, or who are at risk of sexual exploitation and criminal exploitation, is not yet consistently strong for all children,” the report stated, however it did state the borough was aware of their comments. 

It added there was a lack of recorded information on substance misuse by youth in the borough.

“Other than the children being referred by the Youth Offenders Service, there is a low number of children accessing substance misuse services. There is a lack of accurate data to help the partnership to understand the extent of children and young people’s substance misuse in Bexley.”

Bexley Council’s director of children services will now be invited to put together a written statement of proposed action responding to the findings outlined in this.

Cabinet member for education, Cllr John Fuller said the authority would continue to work to see mental health services “go from strength to strength”.

“I’d like to thank everyone who took part in the inspection and am pleased that we have again been found to be performing well,” he said.

“Mental health is a complex and difficult issue but inspectors recognised that all the partners are working hard to identify and support those children in need.  We all can and we will continue to work to make sure that the services we offer go from strength to strength.”