Eighth Report - Children and young people’s mental health

The government accepts the recommendation in part, stating that while Cabinet committees are the Prime Minister's prerogative, they have retained a cross-government Ministerial group to monitor progress on mental health. This is alongside NHS England and Improvement's Independent Advisory and Oversight Group to ensure targeted and impactful work.

The government accepts the recommendation in part, committing to a comprehensive national survey every 7 years, with the next one in 2024. They also highlight follow-up surveys conducted in 2020, 2021, and an imminent third wave to understand the pandemic's impact on children and young people's mental health.

The government accepts the recommendation in part, reporting on ongoing piloting and consultation for mental health waiting time standards. It states it will work with NHSEI on next steps for proposed access and waiting measures, but does not provide the full update by the specified deadline.

The government accepts this recommendation in part, stating that full implementation depends on annual business planning and future grant confirmations from the Department for Education. The response then details the allocation of over £9.5 million for senior mental health lead training in schools and colleges.

The government accepts the recommendation in part, focusing on the establishment of Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and Partnerships (ICPs) through the Health and Care Bill. These bodies will be responsible for local planning and provision of health and social care services, including children and young people's mental health, but the response does not directly commit to the specific MHST rollout targets or funding.

The government accepts the recommendation in part, prioritizing community care for children and young people's mental health and shortening initial detention periods under the Mental Health Act. However, it will not introduce more legislative checks for children alone and states that further work is needed to understand the implementation of the Trieste model of care.

The government accepted the recommendation in part, rejecting the legislative requirement for monthly independent psychiatrist sign-off for children, but plans to shorten the initial Mental Health Act detention period from six to three months. They also referenced ongoing work to accelerate community-based provision through existing NHS initiatives.

The government accepts the recommendation in part, accelerating the rollout of Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) and committing £79 million to expand children and young people's mental health services. They also plan a new CQUIN incentive in April 2022 to improve A&E care for self-harm, requiring 80% of self-harm referrals to receive a biopsychosocial assessment.

The government accepts the recommendation in part, committing to accelerate the roll-out of Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) to cover 25% of the country by FY 2022/23 and 3 million children by FY 2023/24 with additional funding. Education Mental Health Practitioners' training includes competencies for self-harm and low mood, and a new CQUIN incentive will improve care for people who self-harm and attend A&E.

The government accepts the conclusion in part, planning to launch a public discussion paper to inform a new longer-term mental health strategy, engaging various sectors in a public health approach to mental health.

The government accepts the recommendation in part, planning to launch a public discussion paper to inform a new longer-term mental health strategy. This strategy aims to drive a wide-ranging conversation about improving mental health and wellbeing.