Mid-Teens Staged Contact: A Health Needs Assessment Model

The implementation of a systematic Health Needs Assessment process at mid teens (age 16 - 19 years), when young people are embarking on the next transition stage.

Quick Wins

• A clear prerequisite to effective and efficient resource allocation Healthy Child Programme (2009)
• A process for user engagement and involvement to improve service delivery Equity & Excellence: Liberating the NHS (2010)
• A valid process that contributes to the commissioning cycle Commissioning for Sustainable Development (2010)
• A comprehensive method to identify low level problems in children so earlier help can be offered The Munro Review of Child Protection (2010)

Returns on Investment

• A robust process to enable individuals to access support if required
• The evidence to promote early intervention and prevention
• Data to direct the delivery of public health interventions
• A cyclical indicator for caseload allocation and staff performance
• A measurement to evaluate practice and quantify health outcomes
• Tailored evidence to support the healthy/extended schools agenda
• Clear staff performance indicators

Outcomes

• A structured approach to collecting data as part of everyday practice
• A continuum of local user information to influence the commissioning of services
• A Universal Staged contact at mid teens (Young people aged 16-19 years)
• A process to enable individuals with specific needs and risk factors to access services
• A vehicle to enable the delivery of the Healthy Child Programme (2009)