More children reporting mental health issues due to delayed assessment of need tests

Children who are initially trying to access disability services end up needing Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) too for serious psychiatric intervention as their confidence and mental health deteriorates.

Children’s development and mental health are being put at risk by "distressing" delays in assessment of need tests for those with suspected disabilities, campaigners say.

Children as young as seven are self-harming and talking about suicide as they wait for desperately needed services, Rachel Martin of Families Unite for Services and Support (FUSS), said.