Children's trust praised for mental health work

Alder Hey provides specialist mental health services for those aged up to 18

A children's trust has been praised for its "strong leaders" and "compassionate staff", as it is given an outstanding rating for its specialist community mental health services.

Liverpool's Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, which was inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in March, was also commended for its work in schools, where it holds clinics for pupils.

The CQC said children "felt valued and listened to".

Alder Hey provides specialist mental health, ADHD and autism spectrum disorder services for those aged up to 18.

'High quality care'

The hospital's mental services had been previously rated as good.

Alder Hey's foundation trust said the upgrade reflected the "compassion, professionalism, and relentless commitment" of staff.

CQC inspectors said they found a dedication to giving children and young people a safe and caring service.

Inspectors found the services worked well with local schools to help deliver joined up and coordinated care.

Karen Knapton, from the CQC, said inspectors found "strong leaders, as well as kind and compassionate staff, who delivered high quality care".

"Staff focused on what mattered to the people they were caring for, and as a result they felt valued and listened to."

The overall rating for the trust remains unchanged and is rated as "Good".