Department of Health and Social Care
Central Government
Action Planned
The DHSC acknowledges concerns about transitions from children's to adult mental health services and highlights the NHS Long Term Plan's aim for a comprehensive offer for 0-25 year olds. They describe extending current service models and offering grants for senior mental health lead training in schools. (AI summary)
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Dear Ms Schofield,
Thank you for your Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths dated 15 April 2024 about the death of Axel Price. I am replying as the Minister with responsibility for mental health and patient safety.
Firstly, I would like to say how saddened I was to read of the circumstances of Axel’s death and I offer my sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. The circumstances your report describes are concerning and I am grateful to you for bringing these matters to my attention.
Your report raises concerns about the transitions from children and young people’s mental health services to adult services at the age of 18.
We recognise how important it is that young people with mental ill health get the level of care that is appropriate for their needs, and we want to ensure that they have access to the right mental health support, in the right place, and at the right time.
Through the NHS Long Term Plan, local health systems were tasked with delivering a comprehensive offer for 0-25 year-olds to ensure young adults receive appropriate mental health support regardless of their age or diagnostic profile. Between the ages of 16-18, young people are more susceptible to mental illness, undergoing physiological change and making important transitions in their lives. As your report highlights, the structure of NHS mental health services sometimes creates gaps for young people undergoing the transition from children and young people’s mental health services to appropriate support including adult mental health services. The new approach to young adult mental health services for people aged 18-25 will better support the transition to adulthood.
The NHS is extending current service models to create a comprehensive offer for 0-25 year olds that reaches across mental health services for children, young people and
adults. The new model is intended to deliver an integrated approach across health, social care, education and the voluntary sector, such as the evidence-based ‘iThrive’ operating model which currently covers around 47% of the 0-18 population and can be expanded to cover 18-25 year olds.
In terms of providing mental health support up to the age of 18, there are now nearly 500 mental health support teams in place across England, covering 4.2 million children or around 44% of pupils in schools and colleges.
We have also offered all state schools and colleges a grant to train a senior mental health lead to support the introduction of effective, whole school approaches to mental health and wellbeing. Over 15,100 schools and colleges have received a senior mental health lead training grant, including more than 7 in 10 state-funded secondary schools in England.
In addition, we are providing £8 million to fund 24 existing early support hubs across the country – ranging from Exeter to Liverpool. This will improve access for children and young people to vital mental health support in the community, offering early interventions to improve wellbeing before their condition escalates further.
I hope this response is helpful. Thank you for bringing these concerns to my attention.
Thank you for your Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths dated 15 April 2024 about the death of Axel Price. I am replying as the Minister with responsibility for mental health and patient safety.
Firstly, I would like to say how saddened I was to read of the circumstances of Axel’s death and I offer my sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. The circumstances your report describes are concerning and I am grateful to you for bringing these matters to my attention.
Your report raises concerns about the transitions from children and young people’s mental health services to adult services at the age of 18.
We recognise how important it is that young people with mental ill health get the level of care that is appropriate for their needs, and we want to ensure that they have access to the right mental health support, in the right place, and at the right time.
Through the NHS Long Term Plan, local health systems were tasked with delivering a comprehensive offer for 0-25 year-olds to ensure young adults receive appropriate mental health support regardless of their age or diagnostic profile. Between the ages of 16-18, young people are more susceptible to mental illness, undergoing physiological change and making important transitions in their lives. As your report highlights, the structure of NHS mental health services sometimes creates gaps for young people undergoing the transition from children and young people’s mental health services to appropriate support including adult mental health services. The new approach to young adult mental health services for people aged 18-25 will better support the transition to adulthood.
The NHS is extending current service models to create a comprehensive offer for 0-25 year olds that reaches across mental health services for children, young people and
adults. The new model is intended to deliver an integrated approach across health, social care, education and the voluntary sector, such as the evidence-based ‘iThrive’ operating model which currently covers around 47% of the 0-18 population and can be expanded to cover 18-25 year olds.
In terms of providing mental health support up to the age of 18, there are now nearly 500 mental health support teams in place across England, covering 4.2 million children or around 44% of pupils in schools and colleges.
We have also offered all state schools and colleges a grant to train a senior mental health lead to support the introduction of effective, whole school approaches to mental health and wellbeing. Over 15,100 schools and colleges have received a senior mental health lead training grant, including more than 7 in 10 state-funded secondary schools in England.
In addition, we are providing £8 million to fund 24 existing early support hubs across the country – ranging from Exeter to Liverpool. This will improve access for children and young people to vital mental health support in the community, offering early interventions to improve wellbeing before their condition escalates further.
I hope this response is helpful. Thank you for bringing these concerns to my attention.