URL: https://milton-keynes.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2008

Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: RESOLVED: 1.      This Council notes that: a)            Nationally, around 1 in 5 children aged 8-16 are experiencing a probable mental health disorder, with many difficulties emerging before secondary school. b)            In Milton Keynes, partners estimate that nearly 13,000 young people aged 8-25 are living with a diagnosable mental health condition, placing significant pressure on statutory services. c)             Local families report long waiting times for mental health assessments through local GPs and CAMHS, alongside high eligibility thresholds that leave many children without support. d)            Children aged 8-12 can wait months for an assessment and further months for outcomes, during which time they often receive little or no interim support, increasing the risk of escalating to crisis point. e)            Families navigating neurodivergent assessment pathways often face complex and unclear processes, with limited information on how to seek help. f)              The current Mental Health Strategy is shared across Milton Keynes, Bedford and Luton, which can limit the city’s ability to tailor provision to suit local need. g)            CHUMS (Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing Service), funded by the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (BLMK ICB[1]) with a contribution from the City Council, provides early emotional wellbeing and mental health support for children and young people aged 7-18, offering an important opportunity to strengthen early intervention locally. 2.             This Council believes that: a)            Early preventative mental health support is more effective for children and families and is better value for public money than reactive or crisis-led support. b)            Children aged 8-12 face specific pressures, including academic expectations, family instability, neurodiversity, the influence of social media, and anxiety from the transition from primary to secondary school. c)             No child should be left without support while waiting for assessment where early help could prevent deterioration. d)            Families should not have to navigate complex systems to find help, clear, accessible and locally tailored information is essential. e)            Milton Keynes should maximise its influence within the shared mental health strategy to better reflect the city’s rapid growth and demographic pressures. f)              Effective partnership working between CAMHS, CHUMS, schools, GPs, local charities and Parish and Town Councils is essential to prevent children falling through service gaps. 3.             This Council resolves to: a)            Request that the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee, working with information provided by the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (BLMK ICB) and relevant partners review provision for children aged 8-12 including: i)          current waiting times for assessments; ii)        referral thresholds for support; and iii)      interim support available to children while awaiting assessment. b)            Ask the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee to consider within its work programme: i)          how short-term early intervention sessions can be made more widely available while children await assessment; and ii)        how services such as CHUMS can be better aligned with CAMHS and GP referral pathways to reduce gaps in support. c)             Request that the Leader writes to the BLMK Integrated Care Board encouraging it to explore external funding opportunities, including grants to expand early intervention provision for children aged 8-12. d)            Improve publicly accessible signposting, including clearer information on referral pathways, neurodivergent assessment routes and voluntary sector support available locally. e)            Engage with NHS partners to ensure Milton Keynes specific needs are clearly reflected within the shared BLMK Mental Health Strategy.

Date of Decision: March 18, 2026