Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the effect of evidence-based parenting programmes such as Triple P on the prevention and early intervention in mental health problems among children and young people; and whether his Department plans to include such programmes in the Mental Health Green Paper.

We are aware of the important role that parental attachment and inter-parental relationships play in protecting children and young people’s (CYP) mental health. We also recognise that parenting and family based behaviour change programmes can have a positive impact on both the prevention and treatment of conduct disorders.

The upcoming Green Paper on CYP mental health will consider the role that families play in recognising mental health issues in early years and how to improve evidence in this area to inform policy making.