Mental Health: Care Leavers

(asked on 23rd September 2020) - View Source

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he has taken to support the mental health and wellbeing of children in and leaving care.


Answered by
Nadine Dorries Portrait
Nadine Dorries
This question was answered on 29th September 2020

Supporting children and young people's mental health, including the most vulnerable, is a priority for the Government. We know that mental health needs are more prevalent among looked after children which is why we are working with the Department for Education to develop and trial new high-quality mental health assessments for looked after children. These pilots ensure that young people are assessed at the right time, with a focus on their individual needs as they enter care. The Department for Education has awarded £240,000 to a group of organisations, led by the Anna Freud Centre, to deliver up to nine local pilots over two years.

Our £8 million Wellbeing for Education Return programme will provide schools and colleges all over England with the knowledge and access to resources they need to support children and young people.

The NHS Long Term Plan will see an expansion of specialist services, including crisis care, as part of a comprehensive offer that reaches across mental health services for children, young people and adults.

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