The expert group, which was set up last year by the Department of Health and Department for Education to improve mental health support for children in care, said those working closely with looked-after children, including foster carers, children's home staff and special guardians, often lack training to support their often complex mental health needs.
A report by the group, published today, calls for all those working with looked-after children to receive specific children and young people's mental health training "so they are equipped with the appropriate skills" to support them.
This should have a particular focus on managing behavior and be consistent across sectors, so that all professionals and carers are adopting the same approach, the report adds.
"A whole system framework of training that prepares and supports carers and professionals, respecting their roles in supporting young people, is crucial," the report states.
"This collaborative approach would both provide those at the frontline of supporting our young people with the resources to respond to and contain a range of behaviours and mental health needs, and ensure that everyone involved in their care is coming from the same understanding and knowledge base.
"There was a consistent request from stakeholders to have training that focused on how to manage behaviours and individual wellbeing."
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