A major new initiative launched by leading academics last week sets out 20 evidence-informed recommendations to improve professional mental health support for children and young people in care across England. This builds on shocking findings from COACHES research showing children with a social worker are more likely to be rejected from mental health services despite being at greater risk.
The report launched in Westminster, with an opening keynote speech from Helen Hayes MP.
Meeting mental health needs of children and young people in the care system is vital if children are to thrive. I believe the Government is serious about children in care and their mental health and wellbeing. This report provides strong evidence and a wealth of ideas for improving access to high quality mental health services for children in care.
Helen Hayes MP
Helen Hayes MP delivering ketynote speech
Children in care are at least four times more likely than their peers to experience diagnosable mental health conditions. Yet despite the clear need, access to appropriate mental health support remains inconsistent and inadequate.
Professor Robbie Duschinsky, a co-author of the report who spoke at the launch, said:
Despite clear need, care-experienced young people and caregivers have been telling us for many years that they do not feel mental health needs are being adequately supported. Either they cannot get to services at all; or they do get there but do not feel like the offer is adequate. These voices are supported by our COACHES research showing children with a social worker are more likely to be rejected from mental health services.
The new national recommendations were developed by researchers and clinicians from UCL, University of Cambridge, University of Sussex, Kingston University, University of Bristol, and King’s College London, in partnership with the UK Trauma Council and CoramBAAF. The effort has also been supported by the National Children’s Bureau, Anna Freud, Become, the Care Leavers Association and NIHR.
Co-authors at the report launch event
Key recommendations in the report include:
- All local areas to develop a joint service delivery plan and new KPIs, between CAMHS and children’s social care, to increase knowledge and accountability.
- Introduction of an initial mental health and wellbeing assessment, 4-6 months after entry to care.
- All local areas to have a co-located mental health service between children’s social care and CAMHS, which is commissioned to provide direct and indirect evidence-based support.
- The development of a new children’s social care mental health practitioner (CSCMP) training programme, to upskill the children’s social care-based mental health workforce on evidence-based therapies.
- Update to the NICE guidelines for Children Looked After.
Project lead Rachel Hiller, Professor in Child & Adolescent Mental Health at University College London (UCL) and Co-Director, UK Trauma Council, said:
With the right commissioning, joined-up leadership, and a shared understanding of and buy-in to evidence-based practice, change is possible. There are already examples of excellent practice that we can learn from and scale, so all children in care, no matter where they are based, can access high-quality mental health care.
Professor Rachel Hiller, Project Lead
The full list of recommendations is now available through the UK Trauma Council’s website.
Together we hope the guidance will prompt urgent action from policymakers, commissioners, and service providers alike, recognising that improving mental health support for children in care is not just a moral imperative but a critical public health and economic priority.
Dustin Hutchinson, Senior Policy Manager at the National Children’s Bureau, said:
This is a huge opportunity to make lasting positive change – with a real momentum and evidence base for action. There is a real alignment between attendees including leading academics, sector leaders, government representatives to work together to make positive improvements to these children’s mental health. Mental health teams co-located in social care teams, CAHMS rejections rates for these children being a metrics for the ‘Keeping Children Safe Pillar’ of the ‘Opportunity Mission’ or improved evidence based mental health training for social care practitioners would be great ways of improving practice in line with our recommendations.