Record Referrals and Rising Demand
More than one million children were referred to mental health services in England in 2024-25, according to the annual report Children and Young People's Mental Health Services: 2024-25. The figure marks a 10% increase from the previous year and is nearly double the number of referrals in 2018-19.
The Children's Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, described the situation as a young people's mental health crisis, stating that the figures are stark. Anxiety was the most common reason for referral, accounting for 16% of cases.
Rise in Autism and Neurodevelopmental Referrals
Statistics from the Commissioner's office indicate that demand has grown especially for children with suspected autism and neurodevelopmental conditions. Referrals for suspected autism rose by almost 50% in a single year, surpassing 96,000. Cases involving other neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD and Tourette's syndrome increased by nearly a quarter.
Children in these groups often face the longest waits, with fewer than 1 in 5 receiving support in 2024-25. Those who did receive help waited on average a year for treatment.
Long Waiting Times and Systemic Challenges
Dame Rachel warned of the lengthy waits youngsters face for diagnoses and treatment, with more than 60,000 waiting over two years for help, up from over 44,000 the previous year. She acknowledged improvements in services over the past 12 months but stressed that the colossal challenge cannot be ignored, as demand rises faster than capacities and funding can keep up.
She called for a change in approach and greater collaboration between health, education, and social care to ensure children get help in schools and the community.
Inequalities in Access and Outcomes
Charity YoungMinds raised concerns about barriers facing Black children and those from racial minorities, particularly those referred with suspected autism or neurodevelopmental conditions. Black and Asian children are underrepresented in referrals but are more likely to be in severe distress or crisis when referred. Statistically, 25% of Black children were referred for being in crisis compared with 16% of Asian children and 7.4% of white children.
Children from the most deprived 10% of areas in England accounted for 15% of referrals, while those from the least deprived postcodes made up 7.6%.
White Working-Class Educational Outcomes
An independent inquiry concluded that once-in-a-generation reforms are needed to rectify an education system that is not serving the interests of white working-class children. Co-chair Baroness Morris said responsibility cannot sit with schools alone and insisted that underperformance is not due to lack of ambition or effort from young people.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said multiple generations have been robbed of opportunity, adding: 'The communities in this report are my communities. I know what they've given this country and what this country has failed to give back.'
The inquiry found that 48% of white working-class children reach a good level of development by age five, compared with 75% of white British children not on free school meals. At GCSE level, 36% of white working-class pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths, compared with 72% of all pupils not on free school meals.
Calls for Reform
Widespread changes are now being called for to improve mental health support in children's early school years, including increasing free childcare hours for disadvantaged families, expanding apprenticeship access, and ensuring reading fluency at primary school is a national priority for white working-class children.
