Children and young people's mental health
Health and Social Care Committee
Closed
Inquiry
The Committee is undertaking an inquiry into Children and Young People’s Mental Health. The inquiry will examine the progress that has been made by Government against their own ambitions to improve children and young people’s mental health provision. We will also consider whether the system should be reformed toward a …
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10
Recommendations
30
Conclusions
1
Report
4
Oral sessions
9
Letters
4
Events
Activity timeline 19 events
26 Apr
2022
2022
18 Mar
2022
2022
17 Mar
2022
2022
17 Mar
2022
2022
9 Dec
2021
2021
Report published
30 Nov
2021
2021
7 Sep
2021
2021
7 Sep
2021
2021
7 Sep
2021
2021
29 Jun
2021
2021
22 Jun
2021
2021
Oral evidence
22 Jun
2021
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 4 sessions
22 Jun 2021
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Claire Murdoch · NHS England
Ms Nadine Dorries · Department of Health and Social Care
Professor Tim Kendall · NHS England
25 May 2021
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Bernadka Dubicka · Royal College of Psychiatrists
Helen Whately MP · Department of Health and Social Care
Julie Bentley · Samaritans
Kamena Dorling · Article 39
Louis Appleby · University of Manchester
Mark Rowland · Mental Health Foundation
Saffron Cordery · NHS Providers
Steve Mallen · Zero Suicide Alliance
Tom Surrey · Department of Health and Social Care
20 Apr 2021
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Cassandra Harrison · Youth Access
Dr Aleisha Clarke · Early Intervention Foundation
Hope, Easting Disorder advocate
Lucas · Young Minds
Professor Pat McGorry · University of Melbourne
Professor Peter Fonagy · University College London
Shanti Johnson · Maple Primary School, St Albans
Tim Bowen · Maple Primary School, St Albans
23 Mar 2021
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Claire Murdoch · NHS England
Dame Rachel de Souza · Inspiration Trust
Emma Thomas · Young Minds
Lynne Green · Kooth
Martin Lennon · Flood Re
Sophie Corlett · Mind
Tim Kendall · NHS England and NHS Improvement
Reports 1 report · click to expand
| Title | HC No. | Published | Items | Response |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eighth Report - Children and young people’s mental health | HC 17 | 9 Dec 2021 | 40 | Responded |
Recommendations & Conclusions
40 results
1
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Children and young…
Children and young people’s mental health is an all-society issue.
Children and young people’s mental health is an all-society issue. The problems discussed in this report can only be addressed by Government departments, local government and the health system acting together to promote good mental health and prevent new crises …
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Department of Health and Social Care
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2
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Children and young…
Although the full long-term impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the mental health of children...
Although the full long-term impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the mental health of children and young people under the age of 25 is as yet unknown, it is already clear that the mental health needs of these groups have …
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Government Response
24. We accept this recommendation in part. 25. The department agrees that the gap between the 2004 and 2017 NHS Digital Mental Health Surveys was too long. 26. The department …
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Department of Health and Social Care
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3
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Children and young…
The gap between the 2004 and 2017 NHS Digital Mental Health Surveys was too long,...
The gap between the 2004 and 2017 NHS Digital Mental Health Surveys was too long, and this must not be repeated. We recommend that NHS Digital regularly collect and publish robust prevalence data for mental health conditions every three years, …
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Department of Health and Social Care
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4
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Children and young…
During the pandemic, children and young people’s mental health has significantly worsened and the scale...
During the pandemic, children and young people’s mental health has significantly worsened and the scale of the backlog mean that the NHS will not be able to treat its way out of this crisis. The need for early intervention and …
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Government Response
41. The government is considering this recommendation. 42. We welcome the committee’s finding that commitments in the 2017 green paper and the NHS LTP have been taken seriously. 43. There …
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Department of Health and Social Care
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5
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Children and young…
The Department of Health and Social Care—in partnership with the Department for Education and all...
The Department of Health and Social Care—in partnership with the Department for Education and all other relevant Government departments—must take radical steps to shift the focus in mental health provision towards early intervention and prevention. This must ensure that all …
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Government Response
47. We accept this recommendation in part. 48. Although record numbers of children and young people are accessing support and the NHS exceeded the ambitions of the 5 Year Forward …
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Department of Health and Social Care
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6
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Children and young…
We expect a full and comprehensive update from the Department on what measures it will...
We expect a full and comprehensive update from the Department on what measures it will implement, how this work will be funded and a timeframe for key outcomes relating to increased early intervention and prevention. We expect this information by …
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Government Response
51. We accept this recommendation in part. 52. NHSEI has been piloting a 4-week waiting time standard, as committed in the green paper on ‘Transforming children and young people’s mental …
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Department of Health and Social Care
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7
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Children and young…
Commitments in the 2017 Green Paper and the NHS Long Term Plan have been taken...
Commitments in the 2017 Green Paper and the NHS Long Term Plan have been taken seriously by NHS England and led to a significant expansion of provision. We are, however, concerned that many commitments may not yet be ambitious enough …
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Government Response
55. The government is considering this recommendation. 56. Improving mental health care and support for young adults is a priority for us. We know people aged 18 to 25 can, …
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Department of Health and Social Care
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8
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Children and young…
We recommend that NHS England & Improvement set out a clear action plan including key...
We recommend that NHS England & Improvement set out a clear action plan including key milestones, deadlines, and funding for how they will meet their target set out in the NHS Long Term Plan of 100% access to specialist support …
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Department of Health and Social Care
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9
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Children and young…
We further recommend that NHS England & Improvement hold Clinical Commissioning Groups, which have consistently...
We further recommend that NHS England & Improvement hold Clinical Commissioning Groups, which have consistently failed to meet national expectations, to account on key measures such as expenditure, waiting times and access rates. National ambitions should be raised in line …
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Department of Health and Social Care
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10
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Children and young…
We welcome and support the proposals in the recent access and waiting times consultation that...
We welcome and support the proposals in the recent access and waiting times consultation that concluded on 1st September, including crisis response times and a four-week waiting time limit for children and young people, and call on NHS England to …
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Government Response
83. Please refer to the response to recommendation 3
Department of Health and Social Care
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11
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Children and young…
It is clear that young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 face some...
It is clear that young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 face some of the widest gaps between the support that they need and the support that is available to them. 56 Children and young people’s mental health …
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Government Response
84. The government is considering this recommendation. 85. MHSTs are specifically designed to provide a tailored offer of direct interventions to individuals and groups of children and young people with …
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Department of Health and Social Care
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12
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Children and young…
NHS England & Improvement must accelerate the implementation of the 0–25 offer in every local...
NHS England & Improvement must accelerate the implementation of the 0–25 offer in every local area as a national priority so that young people do not continue to face a cliff edge in accessing the care they require as they …
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Government Response
89. We accept this recommendation in part. 90. Implementation of this recommendation will depend upon the outcome of annual business planning, and the Department for Education will later this spring …
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Department of Health and Social Care
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13
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Children and young…
One of the largest barriers to increasing access to mental health provision for children and...
One of the largest barriers to increasing access to mental health provision for children and young people remains the size of the mental health workforce. We have seen that children and young people’s mental health practitioners face staff shortages, increasing …
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Government Response
94. We accept this recommendation in part. 95. The department and the Department for Education are committed to supporting schools to adopt and deliver an integrated, whole-school approach to mental …
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Department of Health and Social Care
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14
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Children and young…
In addition, it is paramount that a plan is implemented to increase the size and...
In addition, it is paramount that a plan is implemented to increase the size and wellbeing of the children and young people’s mental health workforce based on independently verified estimates of the number of people needed in different disciplines and …
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Government Response
100. Please refer to the response to recommendation 3.
Department of Health and Social Care
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15
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Children and young…
We have seen that Mental Health Support Teams, where they have been rolled out, are...
We have seen that Mental Health Support Teams, where they have been rolled out, are well-placed to facilitate early intervention for children and young people as part Children and young people’s mental health 57 of a whole school approach. They …
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Government Response
101. The government is considering this recommendation. 102. The government welcomes the committee’s recommendation and agrees that the social care sector is essential, in its role of identifying needs and …
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Department of Health and Social Care
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16
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Children and young…
We therefore recommend that the Department of Health and Social Care fully fund and scale...
We therefore recommend that the Department of Health and Social Care fully fund and scale up the roll out of Mental Health Support Teams to cover two thirds of schools in England by 2024/25 and 100% by 2027/28.
Government Response
107. We accept this recommendation in part. 108. The Health and Care Bill will build on the work of existing non-statutory integrated care systems ( ICSs ) by establishing new …
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Department of Health and Social Care
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17
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Children and young…
Furthermore, in light of the rise in both prevalence and severity of children and young...
Furthermore, in light of the rise in both prevalence and severity of children and young people’s mental health difficulties, the training of Education Mental Health Practitioners should be reviewed to integrate their skills into a new psychological professions structure. This …
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Department of Health and Social Care
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18
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Children and young…
A whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing should include the promotion of good...
A whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing should include the promotion of good mental health as well as the early identification of those who are at risk of mental health difficulties. Designated Senior Leads for mental health can …
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Government Response
122. We accept this recommendation. 123. The NHS LTP commitment is all children and young people experiencing a mental health crisis will be able to access crisis care 24 hours …
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Department of Health and Social Care
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19
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Children and young…
It is vital that the Department rolls out the training for Designated Senior Leads to...
It is vital that the Department rolls out the training for Designated Senior Leads to all schools urgently with a commitment to completing the roll out before the end of the current Parliament. Moreover, given the worrying trends in self-harm …
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Government Response
133. The government is considering this recommendation. 134. Where inpatient care is needed it should be the highest quality, close to home and for the shortest possible time. 135. We …
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Department of Health and Social Care
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20
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Children and young…
Whilst Mental Health Support Teams and Designated Senior Lead training is being rolled out, the...
Whilst Mental Health Support Teams and Designated Senior Lead training is being rolled out, the Department of Health and Social Care and the Department for Education should work closely together with all schools to ensure that they have the support …
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Government Response
144. We accept this recommendation. 145. As part of the reforms to the Mental Health Act, we plan to expand eligibility to Independent Mental Health Advocated services to informal patients, …
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Department of Health and Social Care
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21
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Children and young…
For some children and young people where schools are not their preferred place to access...
For some children and young people where schools are not their preferred place to access support, drop-in hubs that operate on an open access, self-referral basis provide a valuable alternative opportunity to access help. We have heard that the large-scale …
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Government Response
147. The government is considering this recommendation. 148. Within specialised commissioning, there are a number of programmes of work to reduce restrictive practice. 149. The National Quality Improvement Taskforce for …
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Department of Health and Social Care
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22
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Children and young…
We recommend that the Department of Health and Social Care fund and roll out open...
We recommend that the Department of Health and Social Care fund and roll out open access models to every area across the country so that there is a consistent, comprehensive community offer to complement available school-based and clinical support across …
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Department of Health and Social Care
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23
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Children and young…
The social care sector is essential to the provision of mental health services to children...
The social care sector is essential to the provision of mental health services to children and young people and it is essential that it is funded to do so as part of the forthcoming social care white paper.
Government Response
161. We accept this recommendation in part. 162. The government is accelerating the role out of MHSTs . 163. We agree that education settings can have an important role in …
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Department of Health and Social Care
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24
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Children and young…
Equally vital is the role of the new Integrated Care Systems and it is essential...
Equally vital is the role of the new Integrated Care Systems and it is essential they publish detailed plans with timescales as to how community provision for the mental health needs of children and young people will be improved working …
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Government Response
172. Please refer to the response to recommendation 3.
Department of Health and Social Care
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25
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Children and young…
For those children and young people who prefer accessing help online, digital services can be...
For those children and young people who prefer accessing help online, digital services can be an important way of reducing barriers to access so it is important that a digital offer should be available for all young people. To prevent …
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Government Response
173. We accept this recommendation in part. 174. As set out in the introduction, the department plans to launch a public discussion paper later this year to inform the development …
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Department of Health and Social Care
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26
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Children and young…
Inpatient units have a role to play in treating some of the most severe and...
Inpatient units have a role to play in treating some of the most severe and complex mental health conditions, especially those that are resistant to community treatment. However, in most cases the most compassionate and effective care for children and …
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Government Response
We accept this recommendation in part. All patients detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act are continually assessed and supported, and their need for detention is regularly reviewed. The …
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Department of Health and Social Care
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27
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Children and young…
We therefore recommend that the Department accelerates the shift towards increased community-based provision and a...
We therefore recommend that the Department accelerates the shift towards increased community-based provision and a reduced inpatient bed base as a national priority to ensure that children and young people with the most complex needs receive good quality care in …
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Department of Health and Social Care
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28
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Children and young…
In order to achieve this shift towards community-based care, every area should have a community...
In order to achieve this shift towards community-based care, every area should have a community service for children in crisis which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A clear map is needed of where current gaps …
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Government Response
We accept this recommendation. The NHS LTP commitment is all children and young people experiencing a mental health crisis will be able to access crisis care 24 hours a day, …
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Department of Health and Social Care
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29
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Children and young…
For those children and young people for whom inpatient admission cannot be avoided, a continued...
For those children and young people for whom inpatient admission cannot be avoided, a continued focus is needed to increase the quality of this care. As well as much improved data collection, this should include access to therapies, activities and …
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Government Response
The Government is considering this recommendation. Where inpatient care is needed it should be the highest quality, close to home and for the shortest possible time. We are focussed on …
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Department of Health and Social Care
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30
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Children and young…
It is disappointing that the Government’s 2021 Mental Health White Paper leaves expanding the legal...
It is disappointing that the Government’s 2021 Mental Health White Paper leaves expanding the legal right to support from an advocate to all children and young people subject to future funding availability. There is a compelling case that Independent Mental …
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Government Response
We accept this recommendation. As part of the reforms to the Mental Health Act, we plan to expand eligibility to Independent Mental Health Advocated services to informal patients, including children …
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Department of Health and Social Care
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31
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Children and young…
The Department should commit to expanding Independent Mental Health Advocates support so that all children...
The Department should commit to expanding Independent Mental Health Advocates support so that all children and young people admitted to hospital informally have the same legal right to an Independent Mental Health Advocate as those admitted under legislation without qualification. …
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Government Response
The Government is considering this recommendation. Within specialised commissioning, there are a number of programmes of work to reduce restrictive practice. The national Quality Improvement Taskforce for Children and Young …
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Department of Health and Social Care
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32
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Children and young…
We welcome the Government’s commitment to reducing the use of seclusion, segregation and restraint for...
We welcome the Government’s commitment to reducing the use of seclusion, segregation and restraint for children and young people in inpatient units and the Mental Health Units (Use of Force) Act in particular. However, we have heard that 60 Children …
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Government Response
The Government is considering this recommendation. Within specialised commissioning, there are a number of programmes of work to reduce restrictive practice. The national Quality Improvement Taskforce for Children and Young …
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Department of Health and Social Care
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33
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Children and young…
In addition to our recommendations on the use of restraint that we set out in...
In addition to our recommendations on the use of restraint that we set out in our report on the treatment of autistic people and people with learning disabilities, the use of prone restraint on children and young people should be …
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Government Response
The Government is considering this recommendation. Within specialised commissioning, there are a number of programmes of work to reduce restrictive practice. The national Quality Improvement Taskforce for Children and Young …
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Department of Health and Social Care
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34
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Children and young…
It is vitally important to be able to monitor the experiences of children and young...
It is vitally important to be able to monitor the experiences of children and young people in inpatient care, particularly how often restraint is used in each setting and whether there is appropriate access to advocacy. This is key to …
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Government Response
We accept this recommendation. A single data set now collects all the information from both NHS and private sector services and is completed by all providers. It is able to …
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Department of Health and Social Care
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35
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Children and young…
In addition to the recommendations on data we set out in our report on the...
In addition to the recommendations on data we set out in our report on the treatment of autistic people and people with learning disabilities, we further recommend that NHS England and Improvement regularly collect and publish high quality data including …
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Department of Health and Social Care
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36
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Children and young…
We are deeply concerned about the increasing numbers of children and young people who experience...
We are deeply concerned about the increasing numbers of children and young people who experience self-harm and suicide and the quality of care they are able to access. Much more needs to be done to tackle suicide and self-harm amongst …
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Government Response
We accept this recommendation in part. The Government is accelerating the role out of MHSTs. We agree that education settings can have an important role in prevention and early intervention. …
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Department of Health and Social Care
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37
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Children and young…
We recommend that the Department implement a new system of early intervention to support children...
We recommend that the Department implement a new system of early intervention to support children and young people who self-harm and are at risk of committing suicide. Educational settings, as a universal provision, can have an important role to provide …
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Department of Health and Social Care
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38
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Children and young…
For those children and young people for whom school is not the most accessible place...
For those children and young people for whom school is not the most accessible place to seek support, there must also be a community-based offer. This could be based on the network of drop-in hubs outlined in Chapter 4 of …
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Government Response
Please refer to the response to Recommendation 3.
Department of Health and Social Care
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39
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Children and young…
Preventing the worst mental health outcomes means first creating the conditions across society that are...
Preventing the worst mental health outcomes means first creating the conditions across society that are conducive to good mental health and wellbeing. We welcome the support provided by the former Minister for Patient Safety, Suicide Prevention and Mental Health to …
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Government Response
We accept this recommendation in part. As set out in the introduction, the Department plans to launch a public discussion paper later this year to inform the development of a …
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Department of Health and Social Care
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40
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Children and young…
We recommend that each Government Department, led by the Department of Health and Social Care...
We recommend that each Government Department, led by the Department of Health and Social Care should set out specific, measurable objectives for mental health promotion in each policy area. This should include policies that aim to build mental health resilience …
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Department of Health and Social Care
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Correspondence 9 letters
26 Apr 2022
Correspondence from the Minister of State for Care and Mental Health on Children and young people's mental health
Parliament page
17 Mar 2022
Correspondence to the Chair of the Liaison Committee on the Government's Response to the Committee's Report on Children and young people's mental health
Parliament page
17 Mar 2022
Correspondence to the Secretary of State on the Government's Response to the Committee's Report on Children and young people's mental health
Parliament page
30 Nov 2021
To committee
Letter from the Secretary of State on mental health services dated 18.11.21
Parliament page
7 Sep 2021
To committee
Letter from Claire Murdoch and Tim Kendall to the Chair following up from 22 June evidence session, dated 17.08.21
Parliament page
7 Sep 2021
To committee
Letter from Nadine Dorries to the Chair following up from 22 June evidence session, dated 20.07.21
Parliament page
7 Sep 2021
Children and young people's mental health roundtable transcript, dated 17.05.21
Parliament page
29 Jun 2021
To committee
Letter from the Chief Executive of the Samaritans on the issue of online harms
Parliament page
18 May 2021
To committee
Letter from the National Mental Health Director and National Clinical Director for Mental Health, NHS England on Children and young people's mental health
Parliament page