Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 27
27
Deferred
Paragraph: 132
Lead a cross-government assessment of pupil mental health and ensure adequate CAMHS provision.
Recommendation
The Department should also lead a cross-government assessment of the scale of mental health difficulties amongst pupils, and review the current provision of support available in schools and outside of them. The Government should conclude this review and report its findings by Summer 2024. There then needs to be significant joint working across the Government to ensure CAMHS provision is adequate to meet the needs of school age children, in line with the Department’s previous commitment to a 4-week waiting time.
Government Response Summary
The government discussed the Department's monitoring of local authority support and their role in attendance, completely sidestepping the recommendation for a cross-government mental health assessment and CAMHS review.
Paragraph Reference:
132
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
27. The Department is already closely monitoring support provided by local authorities. The role of the local authority in attendance has changed significantly from that of the pre- 2014 Education Welfare Service. While core functions have been retained, the ‘Working together’ guidance also sets clear roles and responsibilities for schools for the first time. where the barrier to attendance is school based, which is the significant majority of cases.