Many children and young people are not currently getting the support they need, England’s health and social care regulator has warned.
In its annual assessment of the state of health and social care, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) also said inequalities in care more broadly had persisted, with issues accessing services often exacerbated by deprivation.
The CQC highlighted that mental health services were a cause for ‘serious concern’, particularly for children and young people, where demand had continued to rise but providers struggle to recruit.
The regulator also warned that autistic people and people with a learning disability were often unable to access good quality care, and stressed that waiting times for an autism diagnosis were ‘far too long’.
It said there must be greater focus on children and young people’s services, both nationally and locally.
CQC chair Ian Dilks said: ‘While some children are receiving timely, appropriate care, we know that there are more who don’t, with potential long-term repercussions for their mental and physical health.
‘Action now – targeted funding for early intervention, better understanding of local need and improved management of demand, and genuine two-way communication with children and families – will help to ensure a healthier population tomorrow.’
The chairman of the Local Government Association's community wellbeing board, David Fothergill, said the report reinforced ‘the importance of investing in local government given the role many council services play in promoting and improving population wellbeing’.
He added: ‘This is why it is imperative the Chancellor acts in next week’s Autumn Budget to provide councils with the financial stability they need to protect the services that are so vital to people and communities.’
