Mental health services failing children, Children’s Commissioner warns

Some mental health services across England are failing children with life-threatening conditions, according to data collected by the Children’s Commissioner.

According to the data, 28 per cent of children referred for specialist mental health treatment in 2015 did not receive a service, with some Trusts reporting wait times of over 100 days.

The Children’s Commissioner also found that 14 per cent of children considered to have life-threatening mental conditions, which includes those who have attempted suicide and those with psychosis, were also denied specialist support.

Anne Longfield, Children’s Commissioner for England, said: “Children and young people consistently tell me that they need better mental health support but the information we have received paints a picture of provision that is patchy, difficult to access and unresponsive.

“Behind the stats are countless stories of children and young people in desperate circumstances not getting the vital support they need.

“I’ve heard from far too many children who have been denied access to support or struck off the list because they missed appointments. I’ve heard from others whose GPs could not manage their condition and who had to wait months to see a specialist whilst struggling with their conditions."