Source · Select Committees · Health and Social Care Committee
Recommendation 21
21
Not Addressed
Paragraph: 108
For some children and young people where schools are not their preferred place to access...
Conclusion
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 roll out of a similar style system has improved outcomes for children and young people in Australia. Where these hubs already exist in the UK, based on the Youth Information Advice and Counselling model, they fill a vital gap in the health system and are perceived as accessible to young people. They are also capable of reaching those who may be less able to access traditional services. However, while these have been rolled out in some areas of the country, we have heard that this is subject to local funding priorities and is far from a standard provision. Access to these drop-in services should not be dependent on where a young person lives but should be available nationally.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government states it is considering the recommendation but then provides a lengthy and irrelevant response about programmes of work to reduce restrictive practices and details from the Mental Health Act.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
108
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government · verbatim extract
Not Addressed
We are considering this recommendation. The Department is currently working with other Government departments, stakeholders and the VCSE sector to better understand the role that “Community Support Hubs” and “Early Support Hubs” might play in supporting children and young people’s mental wellbeing. However, we do not currently have ring-fenced, national funding for the roll-out of Early Support Hubs. Clinical commissioning groups and local authorities work with local partners to understand local needs and commission services on that basis. This means that local areas are able to design and fund a ‘hub’ model if they think it would meet local need.
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