Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of barriers for care-experienced children and young people in accessing mental health support.

The department recognises the importance of securing appropriate support for children who have experienced trauma, which may include children in care, kinship care or who have been adopted

Local authorities have a statutory duty to promote the welfare of all looked after children. They are responsible for carrying out an annual health assessment for every child in the care system to produce a health plan that addresses the child’s physical, emotional, and mental health needs. This health assessment is reviewed at least annually and is part of a dynamic and continuous cycle of care planning.

Foster carers should be involved in drawing up the health plan as part of the overall care plan for their foster children. Foster carers should be supported by named health professionals for looked-after children on how to access services, including Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service consultations, that the child needs.

For adopted children and children under Special Guardianship orders who were previously in care, the Adoption Support Fund is designed to complement the healthcare system and provide support for those who are suffering trauma and attachment issues. An assessment of need will always be undertaken beforehand, to ensure that the most appropriate support is provided.

The healthcare system is of course available to all children, and parents and carers will be able to receive appropriate advice on how to access this, including support for trauma-related issues as appropriate.