Special educational needs and children’s mental health services

House of Commons Library and POST briefings

The House of Commons Library briefing paper on Children and young people’s mental health – policy, CAMHS services, funding and education (updated 15 June 2021) provides an overview of Department of Health and Social Care, Department for Education and NHS policy to improve mental health support for children and young people in England. 

The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology briefing on Children’s Mental Health and the COVID-19 Pandemic (published 9 September 2021) summarises the latest understanding from research about the effects on children throughout the pandemic, and the factors that increase vulnerability to poor mental health. It also reviews policy approaches that seek to protect children’s mental health.

For statistics on mental health services and funding the House of Commons Library has published the briefing Mental health statistics: prevalence, services and funding in England (updated 13 December, 2021).

The House of Commons Library briefing on Autism (published 1 February 2021) provides an overview of policies and services for people with autism spectrum disorder in England.

House of Commons Committee Reports

Children and young people’s mental health

Eighth Report of Session 2021–22

Health and Social Care Committee

30 November 2021

HC 17

The Health and Social Care Committee’s Expert Panel: Evaluation of the Government’s progress against its policy commitments in the area of mental health services in England

Second Special Report of Session 2021–22

Health and Social Care Committee

30 November 2021

HC 612

Chapter 2 covers the committee’s findings on children and young people’s mental health commitment ratings.

External briefings

The most recent Children’s Commissioner annual report on the state of children’s mental health services (published 28 January 2021) provides further background on this subject.