Written evidence by Miss Lauren Paton (CYM0042)

Health and Social Care Select Committee and Education Select Committee Inquiry into Children and Young People’s Mental Health

How can the Government maximise the impact that Early Support Hubs have in meeting children and young people’s mental health needs? 

The government can do this by providing more funding so we are able to have more early support hubs. From working in an early support hub I can confirm that these are lifelines for families and they do help and support children, young people and families, but as there is a shortage the wait times to be seen is also increasing, this means that there is more children attending crisis services.

How well do current pathways link to delivery of SEND services? What changes would most effectively strengthen referral pathways for children with SEND?

Firstly, there is a shortage of SEND services and a lot of focus of SEND services is on empowering the parent/carer but forgets about the child/young person and SEND support for them. Again, more funding is desperately needed as the wait time for SEND services, particularly where children are waiting to be assessed are shocking and not good enough, Also, the referral pathways for children with SEND gives a lot of authority to schools, but doesn’t take into account factors like masking. When a child is masking in school the school aren’t able to evidence the traits and behaviours that parents see when children are at home and not masking. I feel that for the referral process more authority should be given to parents and they should be able to submit evidence such as videos to help with the assessment process. Possibly home and observations would be helpful too.

What measures are needed to tackle increasing rates of children and young people deteriorating to the point of A&E attendance or acute admission?

Again, more funding for early interventions like early supports hubs and all schools having mental health support teams that include counsellors and therapists, so children and young people can be seen earlier and sooner to prevent them waiting and then them becoming in crisis.

June 2026