Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will make an estimate of the average waiting time in each region between a CAMHS referral by a school and (a) response to the referral and (b) first appointment.

We have no plans to make a specific estimate, as a national access and waiting times standard for child and adolescent mental health services has not yet been defined.

NHS England has consulted on the definition for and introduction of a range of waiting time standards, including children, young people and their families or carers presenting to community-based mental health services should commence care within four weeks from referral. This may involve immediate advice, support or a brief intervention, access to another more appropriate service, a longer-term intervention or agreement on a patient care plan or a specialist assessment. In February 2022, NHS England published the outcome of its consultation and further information on next steps will be available in due course.