Essex County Council’s Post

Practitioners working with and on behalf of adults at risk have an important role as changemakers within organisations. Explore a co-produced toolkit that offers a new approach to safeguarding adults experiencing homelessness and multiple disadvantage, rooted in social justice. https://ow.ly/6SY050RXWx5

A new study by the University of Cambridge and the National Children’s Bureau shows serious issues when children and young people with social work involvement for current concerns or experiencing poverty try to access mental health services (CAMHS). The analysis of over 71,000 health records shows that children and young people who are being supported by social workers or are on child protection plans were far more likely to be rejected by CAMHS than their peers, and not get the treatment and support they may urgently need.   Children on child protection plans are twice as likely to be turned away by NHS mental health services, while children and young people with other general social work involvement are three times more likely to be rejected. Records also show that children and young people living in the most deprived areas were twice more likely to be rejected than those from the richest areas. Our #ChildrenAtTheTable campaign advocates for all children and young people to get the support they need, regardless of their or their family’s situation. We are calling on the Government to ensure all children have equal access to mental health services. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eTvCpqQp 

Where is the promised infrastructure? Skjaldmær: Social Justice Network People over profit https://lnkd.in/gpBMYeQA Where’s the "Promised" 1970s Deinstitutionalization? Remember when we were supposed to transition from institutionalization to community-based mental health care? Fast forward a few decades, and it seems like someone misinterpreted “care in the community” as “no care, and let’s cut the budget while we’re at it.” Here’s the reality check: Community Mental Health Funding — slashed over and over. Affordable Housing Support — gutted, leaving thousands unhoused. Substance Use Recovery Programs — constantly in the crosshairs of budget cuts. Education and Job Training for Vulnerable Populations — marginalized to mere pennies. But wait, where did those “savings” go? Oh, right — the Criminal Justice Budget. That's been expanded so law enforcement can "step in" as the de facto mental health support, housing provider, and substance abuse treatment program. Because nothing says "community care" like more prison cells and police funding.

The new "old" easiest way to solve a problem with any vulnerable community is to "dehumanize" them by creating ways to criminalize them without creating means to address all the social, psychological and physical challenges in thier lives that make them end up in the streets while we as G7 one of the wealthiest countries in the world should be a model to create proper solutions and strategies that can deal with these challenges over the coming 5 to 20 years. The below proves with no doubt that #healthcare is a #political issue while it should be a #humanrights issue.

In this shocking paper we are able to convincingly show how recurrent homeless participants had higher cumulative risk and a higher prevalence and broader range of Adverse Childhood Experiences than transitionally homeless participants, with the prevalence of childhood physical abuse marking the greatest difference between the two groups. Recurrent homelessness was also correlated with addiction to hard drugs, criminal activity, and weak social networks. I wrote this paper together with Willemijn van den Dungen and Bram Orobio de Castro #homelessness #ACE #dakloos University of Amsterdam UvA Maatschappij & Gedrag

A group of Ontario mayors submitted a letter to the provincial government this week, calling for stricter enforcement, mandated treatment, and to overrule or bypass judicial decisions as a way to address individuals struggling with homelessness, mental health and addiction in their communities. I feel for municipalities that are so ill equipped to respond to these needs, but this approach is deeply concerning for so many reasons: 🔹 Criminalizing Homelessness: Criminalizing people who are already struggling with homelessness, mental illness or addiction doesn’t solve the root issues—instead, it worsens them, increasing isolation and diminishing access to vital support services. 🔹 Mandated Treatment Without Sufficient Voluntary Services: The letter’s focus on calling for expanded mandatory treatment is particularly concerning, especially when voluntary, community-based mental health and addiction services are already underfunded and hard to access. Why not call for those investments? 🔹 Undermining Judicial Oversight: Courts play a critical role in protecting basic human rights and ensuring humane treatment. When legislative bodies try to override court decisions, particularly by using measures like the notwithstanding clause, it risks creating a dangerous precedent that erodes fundamental protections and could lead to further harm for vulnerable populations. Let’s raise the bar for how we response. Choose sustainable, compassionate, and comprehensive measures—not short-sighted policies that criminalize poverty and create involuntary revolving doors. Changing the system that creates homelessness rather than punishing people because of their housing status, makes much more sense. Homelessness, mental illness and addictions are complex challenges, but we have a choice on whether to respond with evidence-based solutions rooted in dignity and focused on promoting wellness and recovery, or to further the harms and stigma people are already experiencing. I will always advocate for policies that prioritize long-term solutions, respect human rights, and build supportive and sustainable pathways out of homelessness. #EndHomelessness #MentalHealthMatters #CompassionateCare #EvidenceBased #LongTermSolutions

❓ I’ve done my bit for the future of our children and many more generations. Have you done your part to make our country a safe space for children? ❓ The reality is stark: over one in four Australians (28.5%) have experienced child sexual abuse (CSA), according to the Australian Child Maltreatment Study (ACMS) by Queensland University of Technology. For women, the number rises to 37.3%. And these are not isolated cases—78% of survivors report multiple incidents, with 42% stating it happened over six times during their childhood. Beyond the trauma, CSA has a massive economic impact: The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse found that 95% of survivors reported long-term mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD, resulting in higher healthcare costs, reduced productivity, and greater reliance on social services. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports that survivors are 3.9 times more likely to self-harm and 4.6 times more likely to attempt suicide than those who have not experienced abuse. The ripple effect doesn’t stop there. Survivors often face barriers in education, employment, and economic stability, limiting their potential and placing additional economic strain on society. The overall cost—factoring in healthcare, legal proceedings, and social services—amounts to billions in long-term losses. 🌏 This is why we must act now. 🌏 We cannot afford to ignore these realities any longer. By investing in prevention, enhancing support services, and reforming suppression orders, we can build a safer, more transparent society that prioritizes justice for survivors. 💡 Join the Movement 💡 Have you done your bit to make a difference? Sign the petition and stand with us in creating a safer future. Together, we can build a nation where every child is safe, heard, and protected. https://lnkd.in/g9FUqeWQ 📢 Share this post and take action today. Let’s transform our communities and ensure no child faces such horrors again. #ProtectOurKids #CSAReform #EndSuppressionOrders #JusticeForSurvivors #RisewithHeena #Democracyfirst #HeenaForMenzies Angeline Achariya FTSE GAICD FAIFST Dr. Sarifa Alonto-Younes Lisa Walker Tanya Bishop Amy Hall Khatija Halabi Abbey Mag Tharini Rouwette Minwen Wu Elena Hong Guo Vern Hughes David Carruthers Richard Henderson Yiu Kin Cheung Georgia Babatsikos Renee F. Eva Hussain JP Yiu Kin Cheung

📢 $10 Self-Study: Understanding Crisis Care for Homeless Population! Earn 1.5 NBCC Hour, 1.5 Contact Hour (category B) CE for NC Psychologists, 1.5 Contact Hour. This self-study program offers an in-depth exploration of effective crisis response strategies for individuals experiencing homelessness who are also facing behavioral health challenges. Drawing upon a comprehensive article outlining best practices and guidelines, participants will delve into the complexities of providing crisis intervention within this unique population. Participants will explore the intersection of homelessness and behavioral health challenges, including the prevalence of trauma, substance use disorders (SUDs), and co-occurring medical conditions among individuals experiencing homelessness. 👉🏽 Register @piedmontahec.org #SelfStudy #CrisisCare #Homeless #BehavioralHealth #piedmontahec

What do you see? Something I observe time and time again: why are so many people left invisible in a society that claims to care for all? I often wonder how we can prioritise some needs and yet ignore others, as though only certain lives are worthy of consistent support. The elderly, children, individuals with disabilities, people struggling with mental health, addiction, children being criminally exploitated, and so many more issues that all need and deserve our attention. Yet, I continually see budgets constantly shifted from one area of provision to another, leaving essential services underfunded and so many people slipping through the cracks. In the UK, we have robust research showing the benefits of early intervention in mental health, the importance of consistent care for the elderly, and the critical support needed for children and families in safeguarding. We also know that addiction, criminal exploitation, and other complex issues require comprehensive, ongoing support. Yet despite this evidence, the focus too often shifts to whatever is trending, rather than what is needed. Whether it’s providing adequate mental health support for young adults, protecting children from exploitation, or offering pathways out of addiction the necessity is clear, the need is evidenced, and yet the goalposts keep moving. This isn’t just about budgets, it’s about real people, families that are struggling, children at risk of significant harm, individuals who have contributed to society, fought for rights, and made sacrifices. They’re children, mothers, fathers, friends, and neighbors who deserve to be seen and supported, not forgotten. Care, dignity, and support shouldn’t depend on fleeting public interest or political trends. These principles are what guide most of us every day, in every service, ensuring that no one remains invisible in a society that claims to care for all. We are the ones shouting, doing our best, going over and above! We are truly amazing, and despite the gaps, the challenges, we continue to do our best! We are the leaders in change 🙌❤️ #HealthandSocialCare #Teachers #SocialWorkers #Police #FoserCarers #Volunteers #YouthWorkers #Nurses #GeneralPractitioners