Overview

• Over 958,200 children in England were referred to mental health services in the year to March 2024, an increase of 10,000 from the previous year.
• Approximately 320,000 children remain on waiting lists, with nearly a third waiting over a year for treatment to begin.
• Anxiety is the most common reason for referrals, while cases involving autism and ADHD have surged by nearly 30%, with these patients facing the longest delays.
• The NHS has reported a 60% rise in demand for children’s mental health services since before the pandemic and has expanded its workforce and school-based support.
• The Children’s Commissioner has called for an integrated approach linking mental health, education, and social care to address systemic challenges and improve outcomes for young people.