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Extend CAMHS support to 25 for care leavers, urges children’s commissioner

1 min read Health
The children’s commissioner for England has called for all care leavers to be able to access child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) until the age of 25.
Dame Rachel de Souza has urged government to prioritise children's mental health. Picture: Office of The Children's Commissioner for England
Dame Rachel de Souza has urged government to prioritise children's mental health. Picture: Office of The Children's Commissioner for England

Speaking at the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) annual conference in Manchester last week, Dame Rachel de Souza told delegates that there should be "an expectation for care leavers to access CAMHS until age 25”.

A 2021 report by What Works for Children’s Social Care on emotional wellbeing protocols for care leavers states: “Some local authorities may have a dedicated CAMHS service for children in care that extends support to care leavers up to 25, however this is uncommon.”

De Souza, who has worked in education for more than two decades, made the call in a session on children’s mental health.

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