Inquiry into young people’s mental health launched

A new inquiry into children and young people’s mental health has been launched by the Education and Health and Social Care committees.

MPs on the cross-party committees will consider what mental health support is available to children and young people up to the age of 25 in community, health and education settings.

The inquiry will consider how this support is integrated with NHS services, such as specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS) services, and what support is available throughout the education system, including for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

They will explore how potential reforms to CAMHS could improve children and young people’s access to mental health care and whether support could be provided in the community, such as through the Government’s new Young Futures Hubs.

The committees will also scrutinise the implementation and rollout of relevant government policies such as the commitment to expand Mental Health Support Teams to all schools in England by 2029/30. MPs will also consider plans to establish a network of Young Futures Hubs and alignment between various government strategies such as the 10 Year Health Plan, the Independent Review into mental health conditions, ADHD and autism, and the National Youth Strategy.

MPs will also investigate how education staff can support children and young people’s mental health, and whether current Ofsted frameworks or DfE guidance help or hinder mental health provision.

Chair of the Education Committee, Helen Hayes MP, said: “From the early years through to university, education staff are often being asked to step in where existing support has failed. Our inquiry will take a forensic look at the mental health services available to children and young people at every stage of their education, from ages zero to 25. We will consider the role teachers can play in supporting children and young people’s mental health and whether they are getting the training they need to do that properly.

"We’ll also look at the full range of government policies and plans affecting young people, from SEND reform to the National Youth Strategy, and ask: are ministers doing enough to protect young people’s mental health?”