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Draft National Standards for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
This consultation has closed.
Background
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) are specialist mental health services that provide assessment and treatment for children and young people experiencing moderate to severe mental illness. The Mental Health Act 2026 establishes a comprehensive legal framework for CAMHS, modernising mental health law to ensure that children and young people receive high-quality, rights-based care that upholds their dignity, autonomy, and human rights.
Key provisions include:
Regulation of community CAMHS:
The remit of the Mental Health Commission (MHC) has expanded beyond the regulation of approved inpatient centres to include community-based mental health services, including community CAMHS teams. These services are now subject to registration, inspection, monitoring, and enforcement, strengthening oversight and promoting consistent standards of care across both inpatient and community settings.
Consent provisions for adolescents:
The Act introduces statutory provisions enabling young people aged 16 and 17 to consent to or refuse mental health treatment, where they have the necessary decision-making capacity. This supports young people to take an active role in decisions about their care.
Dedicated focus on youth mental health:
The Act includes specific provisions relating to the care and treatment of children and young people, emphasising a person-centred, rights-based, and developmentally appropriate approach. These include:
- Enhanced safeguards for children and young people who may be involuntarily admitted
- Requirements for individualised care plans for those receiving inpatient treatment
- Strengthened oversight of restrictive practices, ensuring they are used only as a last resort
The Act also provides that the MHC will develop Codes of Practice in key areas, including:
- Assessment of capacity for 16- and 17-year-olds to consent to admission, care, and treatment
- Admission processes for 16- and 17-year-olds who lack capacity, including the role of parental consent
- Criteria and procedures for the involuntary admission of children to registered acute mental health centres
Note: These Codes of Practice apply specifically to 16- and 17-year-olds receiving inpatient care and treatment.
Development of CAMHS Standards
The MHC is developing National Standards for CAMHS that are person-centred, holistic, multidisciplinary, and recovery oriented. These standards will apply across both inpatient and community CAMHS services to ensure consistent, high-quality care.
The standards are being informed by extensive consultation with an Expert Advisory Group (EAG) and a broad range of stakeholders, including children and young people, families, carers, advocates, mental health professionals, and relevant organisations.
The voices of those with lived experience are central to shaping services that reflect what matters most to children and young people.
Purpose of the Public Consultation
The purpose of this public consultation was to seek feedback on the first draft of the National Standards for CAMHS, and to support the MHC in identifying key areas for further development and refinement.
All responses will be carefully considered and will inform the finalisation of the National Standards and the development of associated Codes of Practice under the Mental Health Act 2026. This process will also be supported by additional evidence, including:
- An in-depth evidence review
- Advice from the Expert Advisory Group
- Input from the MHC’s Stakeholder Forum
Following this process, the MHC will publish a consultation report alongside the final National Standards for CAMHS and relevant Codes of Practice.
Visit Past Consultations to find out more about consultations that have concluded. Visit Future Consultations to find out more about upcoming consultations.
