Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the adequacy of the provision of mental health services for BAME children.

We want to ensure that all children, including those from a black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) background, can access services according to clinical need. National Health Service mental health services have remained open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and our community, talking therapies and children and young people’s services have deployed digital tools to connect with people and provide ongoing support.

NHS England and NHS Improvement are working closely with BAME experts and others to support rapid knowledge and information sharing to encourage timely access to NHS mental health services, and just as importantly, good BAME experiences within those services.

The Government has provided £9.2 million of additional funding for mental health charities to support adults and children. This includes charities that offer some support to BAME communities, such as the What? Centre.