Some groups – such as looked-after children, those struggling with their sexual identity, and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) – are more at risk of developing a mental health disorder than their peers (see graphics). Meanwhile, the NHS figures show that the prevalence of mental health conditions peaks in adolescence and the mid- to late-teens – this is significant for children’s services, as the largest proportion of children in care are aged 10-15 (39 per cent) and 16+ (24 per cent).
The pressure on children’s services to provide mental health support is growing as a result of a record number of children in care – 78,150 on 31 March 2019; year-on-year rises in children with a SEND education, health and care plan; and three quarters of children with a mental health condition not being referred for treatment.
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