Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the provision of CAMHS during summer holidays 2020; and what steps he is taking to ensure the adequacy of access to those services by children who need CAMHS support.

Such discussions have not taken place between my right hon. Friends, the Secretary of State for Education and the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. However, I meet regularly with my hon. Friend, the Minister of State for Patient Safety, Suicide Prevention to discuss mental health and wellbeing support and resources available to children and young people.

Access to mental health support is more important than ever during the COVID-19 outbreak, especially for thousands of children, young people and teachers who are adapting to education and different ways of living and learning in these unprecedented times. NHS mental health services have remained open during the COVID-19 outbreak and will continue to be open over the summer holidays. Community health services, talking therapies and children and young people’s services have deployed digital tools to connect with people and provide ongoing support.

The government has also recently provided over £9 million to leading mental health charities to help them expand and reach those most in need. NHS Mental Health Trusts have been asked to provide 24/7 open access telephone lines to support people of all ages. New online resources are also being developed to help schools and colleges respond to the impact of coronavirus on mental health and wellbeing.

We continue to work across government on further support, and on long term improvements to support children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing, including introducing new Mental Health Support Teams to work in and near schools.