---

Children and Young Persons Bill [HL]

I very much support the amendments, as well as the words of the noble Baroness, Lady Sharp. I have had unhappy experience of cases going through the care system where both the PCT and CAMHS have been totally inadequate. The practical problem, which in a sense the amendments highlight, is the inadequacy of the services in many areas of the country, particularly the services of CAMHS, much of which is because it seems to be inadequately resourced. There are children who do not get a first appointment for up to 18 months. That is not good enough. To have a series of amendments like this would be a wake-up call to another government department that it has to co-operate to do something for children who have been so badly treated that they have to go into care. As has been said already, many have been physically, sexually or emotionally abused, or all three. They need more help, not less, but CAMHS is not there to help them. Even the PCT finds difficulty in providing even the most minimal support for these children.