THOUSANDS of abused children in Worcestershire are being let down by a mental health postcode lottery according to a children's charity.

The NSPCC says 16,029 Worcestershire children who have suffered abuse or neglect are being failed by the system because the county has an 'inadequate' care plan, leaving them more vulnerable to depression.

The NSPCC analysed mental health plans, known as Local Transformation Plans, published by the clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), organisations which hold the purse strings for NHS care.

Each plan was given a traffic light rating based on how well it had factored in the needs of children who have been abused with Worcestershire rated 'amber'.

The number of children being let down by CCGs has been placed at more than 233,000 children across the Midlands.

It is not the first time concerns have been raised.

Financial cuts were blamed for Worcestershire County Council needing outside help to improve services for its most vulnerable children.

A damning report by the Department for Education's Commissioner for Children's Services in Worcestershire spoke of "widespread, systemic failings" in children's services.

Essex County Council will be brought in as an 'improvement partner' to help make the necessary changes.

The NSPCC say 84 per cent of NHS commissioners across England have failed to properly plan for the needs of children who have been abused or neglected.

Children who have suffered abuse are twice as likely to develop clinical depression.

NSPCC trustee and clinical psychologist Professor Tanya Byron said: “Failing to plan is planning to fail, and alarmingly most CCGs are setting themselves up to fail children who have already been through abuse and trauma."

Some 62 per cent of areas across England including Worcestershire were given an amber rating. This means plans made 'some reference' to the needs of children but the CCG was inadequately planning for their care. More than a fifth (21 per cent) of CCGs made no reference whatsoever to their needs.

Government has stipulated that CCGs must update their plans annually, and the NSPCC is calling on all CCGs to include strategies for meeting the mental health needs of children in their 2017-18 updated plans and all future plans.

Neil Morris, headteacher at Christopher Whitehead Language College in Worcester, said:

"This is part of a national picture and I think there needs to be more joined-up thinking."

He said his school prompted looking after mental health heavily because there was more pressure on children, citing the social media phenomenon.

"I am the safeguarding lead and kids are under more pressure than they’ve ever been. I do feel very sorry for most of the kids.

"We have a pastoral team of 25 people trying to pick up different things. Trying to give people an outlet to be themselves in a safe and structured way. Most of the time we get it right. We have a house system where the older ones are encouraged to look after the younger ones."

A spokesperson on behalf of the three Worcestershire CCGs, said: “The current Transformation Plan has driven improvements in the services provided, specifically to Worcestershire's looked after children as well as the introduction of a new Children and Adolescents Mental Health Consultation, Advice, Support and Training Service (CAST) available for agencies including schools, social care and GPs.

“Training is now also being provided to the wider workforce including school staff and social workers in order to help them identify and meet the needs of vulnerable children.

“However, it is recognised that there is still more to do to ensure that the specific needs of those children who are abused and neglected are met.”