The mental health of children has deteriorated markedly in recent years. As of 2022, the NHS estimates that 18% of children aged 7 to 16 years and 26% of those aged 17 to 19 have a probable mental health disorder, up from 17% in 2021. Some groups of children have particularly poor levels of mental health. Among girls and young women the problem is particularly widespread, with 31% of girls and young women aged 17 to 24 estimated as having a probable disorder. Half of looked after children (49%) had ‘borderline’ or ‘cause for concern’ scores in 2020-21 based on their answers to the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, a measure of mental health and wellbeing. 

To truly tackle this crisis, both preventative action and appropriate treatment are required. This report aims to assess children’s ability to access timely treatment, and to understand how that has changed in recent years.