Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of waiting times for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.

Demand for children and young people’s mental health services continues to increase, with referrals rising from around 70,000 per month in March 2016 to almost 130,000 per month in March 2026, placing significant pressure on services and contributing to longer waiting times. Later this year, the Government will publish a new cross-government Mental Health Strategy, which will focus on prevention, earlier intervention and reducing waiting times, alongside wider reforms to SEND services and children’s mental health support. We are also expanding early support for children and young people through Mental Health Support Teams, Early Support Hubs and Young Futures Hubs, as part of efforts to ensure children receive support earlier and reduce pressure on specialist services.