BPS joins call for the government to address underfunded children’s health services

As a member of the Children and Young People's Health Policy Influencing Group (HPIG), the BPS is calling on the government to safeguard early-years health services and provide specific funding figures around how much is allocated for children's healthcare. In the Autumn budget, it was unclear how much funding had been allocated specifically for children's health services. 

Chair of the British Psychological Society's Faculty for Children Young People and their Families Dr Rachel Bradley said:

"Along with all HPIG members, we welcome the government's commitment to a prevention-first approach to healthcare. However, a government that wants to seriously prioritise early intervention needs to ensure there are well-funded children's health services that are accessible, readily available and tackle the nation's vast health inequalities. 

"The current record wait times for children's healthcare appointments, the unequal levels of funding for children's services compared to services for adults, and an uncertain future for some early-years health and social care programmes are issues the government needs to urgently address.

"We need to see a commitment that they will set clear targets to bring down wait times for community physical and mental health services for children, invest in services to reduce health inequalities for children with disabilities and long-term illnesses, and improve multi-agency collaboration to provide better outcomes for children in the SEND system.

"Ultimately, we would like to see a health service that puts the experiences of young people and their families at the heart of decision making around children's health."

The roadmap can be found on the National Children's Bureau (NCB) website.