Written question asked by Charles Walker (Conservative) on Tuesday, 30 March 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 6 April 2010. It was answered by Phil Hope (Labour) on Wednesday, 7 April 2010 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Mental Health Services: Young People

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria his Department requires a comprehensive Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service to meet.

Answer: "The Mental Health and Psychological Well-being of Children and Young People", standard 9 of the National Service Framework for Children, Young People and Maternity Services, published in 2004 set out the policy framework for a comprehensive child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS). Further information is set out in "Keeping Children and Young People in Mind: The Government's full response to the independent review of CAMHS" published in 2010. Copies of both documents have already been placed in the Library.Four proxy measures are being used to monitor progress on public service agreement 12 indicator 4 (emotional health and well-being of child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS)). These are:"the development and delivery of CAMHS for children and young people with learning disabilities;""appropriate accommodation and support for 16 to 17-year-olds;""availability of 24-hour cover to meet urgent mental health needs; and""joint commissioning of early intervention support."

Secondary information