The Children’s Commissioner for England – Children and young people’s mental health services

The Children’s Commissioner for England has published a report on children and young people’s mental health services, examining referrals, access to treatment, waiting times, and service investment in England between 2024 and 2025. The report looks at children’s journeys through mental health services and how these differ depending on what they were referred for, their age, gender, ethnic background and the area-level deprivation where they live. It highlights that while more children are receiving treatment than in previous years, services have not been able to match demand and more children are now waiting for treatment and waiting for longer.  The report calls for changes including: a joint national strategy and outcomes framework for children’s mental health and wellbeing; and effective implementation of reforms to the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities system.

Read the report: Children’s and young people’s mental health services: 2024-25