NHS Alliance urges four-week target to tackle 'appalling' mental health treatment gap for children

The NHS Alliance has urged the government to introduce a new mental health performance target for children and young people, warning of an “appalling treatment gap” for those unable to access timely care.

The call follows official data suggesting that, despite progress in some trusts, more than 90,000 people up to the age of 18 in England have waited over two years from referral for their first meaningful contact with NHS specialist community mental health services.

Between December 2025 and February 2026, around 70% of children and young people with a mental health need waited more than four weeks after their initial referral, according to the figures. The alliance is proposing an official four-week standard from first referral.

It argues that such a benchmark would increase accountability for both the NHS and the government, improve visibility of performance, and help unlock additional investment and support where needed so children and young people can receive help earlier in their illness.

The move comes after a Birmingham conference last week hosted by the NHS Alliance for more than 200 mental health leaders to discuss the future of services and share good practice.

A survey conducted by the alliance found widespread concern about rising demand and financial pressure: nearly two thirds (64%) of respondents said finances would be tougher this year than last, 94% were concerned or very concerned about increasing demand, and 61% worried about the impact of financial pressures on care quality.

Rebecca Gray, director of the NHS Alliance’s Mental Health Network, said mental health is “centre-stage in national debate” and integral to goals in education, economic activity and public wellbeing. She noted that while mental health features in the 10-Year Health Plan, it has “less visibility than other NHS pressures” and said conclusions from ongoing reviews must be translated into action to close the treatment gap.

“If that means targets in relation to people, particularly young people, being able to access the mental healthcare they need, bring it on,” she said. Gray added that the sector faces major challenges and emphasised the importance of accountability and learning lessons when things go wrong.

She called for the same visibility on waiting times as in the hospital sector, while highlighting “extraordinary successes” already being delivered and urging support for mental health leaders to think “radically” about how services can better meet community needs.

The alliance said a clear access standard would focus attention on where progress is needed most and help ensure children and young people are not left waiting months or years for a first meaningful contact with specialist services.