Asked by: Lord Bishop of Lincoln (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the mental health support services available to children with special educational needs and disabilities and their families.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The 10-Year Health Plan for England sets out how we will work with schools and colleges to better identify and meet children's mental health needs by delivering mental health support teams to cover 100% of pupils by 2029/30.
It also sets out the core principle of early intervention and support, without the need for diagnosis, and that this particularly applies for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. This autumn, the Government will bring forward a schools white paper setting out the Government’s approach to reforming the system for special educational needs and disabilities, ensuring joined-up support for children and young people. This will involve education and healthcare providers working together with other local services to plan and deliver evidence-based early interventions for children. Through local commissioning, the Government will ensure that Neighbourhood Health Services work in partnership with family hubs, schools, nurseries, and colleges to offer timely and joined-up support to children, young people, and their families.