Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure children in foster care are provided access to mental health support.

Children in foster care should be provided with access to mental health support at home and at school.

The National Minimum Standards for fostering sets out that children should ‘live in a healthy environment where their physical, emotional and psychological health is promoted.’

Children should have prompt access to doctors and other health professionals, including specialist services, when they need these services.

The government is committed to providing access to specialist mental health professionals in every school by expanding Mental Health Support Teams.

Alongside the Department of Health and Social Care, the department is reviewing and updating current statutory guidance on promoting the health and wellbeing of children in care.

As part of the statutory guidance review, we are considering what changes are needed to better ensure that children in care, including those in foster care, and care leavers receive the necessary support for their mental health and wellbeing.