Audit Commission

Summary [Download full report below this summary]

One in every five children suffers from mental health problems. Services to help them are provided by a range of agencies and policy and practice are developing fast. Children seen by the NHS specialist services have a number of characteristics but the response of health authorities and trusts is variable.

Links between specialist child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) and other agencies need strengthening and these agencies need to work together. Health authorities should establish a framework for development and maintain their efforts to keep pace with a fast-changing agenda to ensure that vulnerable children and young people get the support that they need.

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