Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking with the Secretary of State for Education to establish a national evidence-based pathway for selective mutism that specifies (a) lead commissioning responsibility, (b) referral routes, (c) the respective responsibilities of speech and language therapy, children and young people’s mental health services, educational psychology services and education settings, (d) access criteria and (e) expected timescales for assessment and intervention; and if she will make it her policy for NHS England to publish a national service specification and commissioning framework for that pathway.

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.