Our response to CQC's review of children and young people's mental health services in England

Response - 17 October 2017

New report from CQC finds that too many children and young people have a poor experience of care and are unable to access timely and appropriate support.

In January 2017 the Government commissioned a review of mental health services for children and young people in England. The Care Quality Commission has today published a report on the first phase of the review, drawing on existing reports, research and its inspections of children and young people's mental health services, as well as conversations with young people to identify what's working well and what needs to be improved.

The report found that mental health services for children and young people are fragmented. Mental health care is funded, commissioned and provided by many different organisations that do not always work together in the most effective way. As a result, too many children and young people have a poor experience of care and some are unable to access timely and appropriate support.

Responding to the review, Imelda Redmond, National Director of Healthwatch England, said:

“Today’s report is another important step in getting our young people the mental health and wellbeing support they tell us they want and need.

"Children, their families and other carers have told Healthwatch that their biggest concerns are a lack of early intervention, problems getting access to and moving between services, and not enough engagement with, or support for, parents and carers.

“We encourage people to continue to tell their local Healthwatch about their experiences of mental health services so we can help improve the support they receive."

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