CHILDREN'S mental health services are being improved and expanded across Airedale.

The NHS is investing an extra £5.5 million over the next five years in Airedale and Bradford District to transform access and support.

More specialist mental health workers will be recruited and new services provided, across both the NHS and voluntary sector.

As part of the initiative, workers will support secondary schools with young people who have emerging mental health concerns.

Each NHS clinical commissioning group – including the one covering Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven – has produced its own 'transformation plan' covering a range of services.

The Bradford and Airedale plan has been praised for involving a wide range of stakeholders, including children and young people, in its development and for prioritising services for vulnerable groups and focusing on crisis care.

Dr Brendan Kennedy, GP and chairman of the CCGs' group responsible for the transformation of mental health services, said: "With 75 per cent of mental health problems in adult life, excluding dementia, starting by the age of 18, there is a compelling case for change and investment in services for children and young people.

"That's why this funding is such good news for Bradford and Airedale. Our plans are ambitious and it will be challenging to deliver everything we hope to, but there is a real commitment from all of us in health and our partner organisations to make some vital improvements for our young people.

"We now have a clear plan on where this money can be best spent, developed in consultation with children themselves.

"New and improved services will support children and young people with a wide range of needs, including treatment for eating disorders and specialist crisis support out of hours."

Plans include ensuring children and young people have their needs assessed by the mental health first response service, providing therapeutic care to vulnerable youngsters, a point-of-access hub and a one-stop shop or drop-in facility for hard-to-reach young people.

A website – thrivebradford.org.uk – has been set-up to help teenagers across the district, particularly with the transition from child to adult mental health services.

It is designed to provide support, information and guidance for young people aged 13 to 19.