Access to child and adolescent mental health services report published by EPI - AoC responds

The Education Policy Institute (EPI) has published its Annual Report on access to child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). It found that over a quarter (26%) of referrals to specialist children’s mental health services were rejected in 2018-2019 While rejection rates have not improved over the last four years, despite an extra £1.4bn committed from 2015-16 to 2020-21. Chief Executive, David Hughes commented: “Today’s findings from EPI reflect concerns we hear regularly from colleges as numbers of young people in further education experiencing mental health difficulties continues to rise. Colleges face an acute and particular challenge as students who are 16 and 17 find themselves caught between children, adolescent and adult services. As vulnerable young people are rejected or bounced from one service to another, colleges do their best and work extremely hard to provide inhouse support to meet their needs. However, only a joined up, coordinated and flexible mental health care system can begin to alleviate the pressure felt by many institutions. AoC are committed to working with government and the NHS to implement Mental Health Support Teams across the country and ensure adequate services are developed that meet the needs of all students who require them.” You can read the full report here.