Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to establish a national access and waiting time standard for children and young people's mental health services, and if so, when; and what plans they have to establish a pathway for young people transitioning from children and young people's mental health services to adult mental health services, in order to collect detailed and accurate numerical data.

NHS England has consulted on the potential to introduce five new waiting time standards as part of its clinically-led review of National Health Service access standards, including that children, young people and their families presenting to community-based mental health services should start to receive care within four weeks from referral. As a first step, NHS England has shared and promoted guidance with its local system partners to consistently report waiting times to support the development of a baseline position. NHS England is developing implementation proposals for consideration by Government.

We are supporting children and young people by expanding mental health services through the NHS Long Term Plan. The Plan sets out the intention to develop a new approach to young adult mental health services for people aged between 18 and 25 years old which will support the transition to adulthood. The Plan will extend current service models to create a comprehensive offer for ages between zero and 25 years old that offers person centered and age appropriate care for mental health needs.