Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 49
49
Accepted
Prioritise mental health support for children in care and pilot co-located CAMHS services.
Conclusion
The Department for Education should work with the Department of Health and Social Care to ensure that children in care and care leavers are prioritised for mental health support and improve training for mental health practitioners on the impact of trauma. This could be achieved by setting up co-located mental health services between children’s social care and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and the Department should work with the Department for Health and Social Care to pilot this approach. (Recommendation, Paragraph 121)
Government Response Summary
The government is piloting a multi-disciplinary approach in the South-East in 2025-26 to inform future pilots, including potential co-located mental health services. It is also reviewing statutory guidance on promoting the health and wellbeing of looked-after children to improve mental health support and trauma training.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
the Department for Health and Social Care to pilot this approach. We recognise the importance of prioritising mental health support for children in care and care leavers. Working with DHSC, NHSE, and MoJ, we are piloting a multi-disciplinary approach within the South-East Regional Care Co-operative in 2025–26 to explore effective models for assessing need and coordinating treatment and placement decisions. Insights from this work will inform future pilots, including potential co-located services between children’s social care and CAMHS. We are also reviewing statutory guidance on promoting the health and wellbeing of looked-after children, with a focus on improving access to mental health services and ensuring practitioners are equipped to respond to trauma. This complements the Government’s wider commitment to expanding the mental health workforce by 8,500 staff, helping to ensure timely, trauma-informed support for vulnerable children.