DfE 'making progress' on mental health check pilots

Up to 10 pilot areas were set to start testing mental health assessments for looked-after children by May. But in April it emerged that the pilots had been placed on hold due to the snap general election.

Speaking at a House of Lords event this week, Helen White, a DfE policy adviser, said the government remains committed to testing the idea.

"One of the specifics we're taking forward is in terms of the [mental health] assessment pilots, which we hope to make some progress on very soon," White said.

Richard Crellin, mental health policy manager at The Children's Society said: "It is encouraging to hear that these long overdue pilots should be under way soon.

"Research shows that looked-after children are more likely to have mental ill-health, but that they also struggle to get the specialist help they need.

"Without a full and comprehensive assessment of mental health and wellbeing, care services can't properly understand the effects of the trauma of the abuse and neglect these children may have experienced before going into care.

"As a result they are much less likely to get the support they need. We hope that these pilots will allow services to better address trauma, respond to children's mental health needs and improve their wellbeing."

Paula Lavis, strategic lead for the Children and Young People's Mental Health Coalition said: "We welcome progress on these assessment pilots.

"Children and young people in care have a higher prevalence of mental health problems, and we know that many will have mental health problems before they enter care.

"Ideally, this assessment should take place before they enter care, when they are in care, and when they leave care. 

"However, we need to stress that whilst assessing for mental health problem is important, it is essential that the services necessary to support them are also in place. We know that is an issue at the moment."

White made the comments at the launch event of a report by an expert group set up last year by the Department of Health and Department for Education to improve mental health support for children in care.

Among other things, the report calls for all those working with looked-after children to receive specific children and young people's mental health training, and for all councils to be required to appoint virtual mental health leads.