Report

Children and young people’s mental health services

Think tank: Education Policy Institute

Author(s): Whitney Crenna-Jennings; Allen Joseph; Isaac Marchant

December 10, 2023

This report from UK think tank the Education Policy Institute assesses progress made to improve children and young people’s mental health services.

This report assesses the progress that has been made against government targets to improve children and young people’s mental health services since 2015.

Whilst some progress has been made in improving service provision, EPI finds that this has been outpaced by rising demand for services, with concerning levels of variation in the services available across England and a need for better data and greater transparency regarding service availability, quality and outcomes.

Informed by these findings and advice from advisory groups, EPI makes a range of policy recommendations, providing a blueprint for a future government’s strategy to improve children and young people’s mental health services.