Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether NHS England holds data on the number of integrated care boards that commission a defined pathway for the assessment and support of children and young people with selective mutism; and what steps she is taking to address variation in provision, including within NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board.

Selective mutism can present differently across settings and may require support from a range of health and education services, depending on the child or young person’s individual needs. Local commissioners are best placed to determine how this multidisciplinary support should be organised to reflect local needs and service arrangements.

The Government is strengthening early identification and support in education through the National Inclusion Standards, backed by investment of up to £15 million by 2028, and research commissioned through UK Research and Innovation. The SEND Code of Practice is clear that support should be based on a child’s identified needs and does not require a diagnostic label.

The NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board is working with local partners and parent carers to improve front-line staff knowledge and explore alternative routes for assessment and support. This includes an ongoing working group and further engagement with parents and carers to identify gaps and strengthen local assessment and support arrangements.