Published -
October 10, 2025 About the Report
This report examines how children and young people involved in, or at risk of, serious youth violence in England and Wales access mental health support — and how that access can be improved. It draws on five strands of research: literature reviews, data analysis, service mapping, and over 100 in-depth interviews with professionals, caregivers, and young people.
The report was commissioned by the Youth Endowment Fund, as part of a wider partnership with Department for Education, looking at how well the system protects young people at risk of violence.
Key findings
Children and young people with the greatest mental health needs often face fragmented and difficult-to-navigate systems spanning education, health, social care, youth justice, and the voluntary sector.
Main barriers include:
- Restrictive eligibility criteria that exclude those with complex needs
- Long waiting times and high thresholds for referrals
- Inflexible support, especially for those outside mainstream education
- Language and communication barriers between young people and services
- Stigma, distrust, and fear of criminalisation
- Bureaucratic processes that make access feel adversarial
Those facing additional marginalisation — including racially minoritised children, children in care, neurodivergent young people, and those living in poverty — are often disproportionately affected.
Implications for policy and practice
Improving access to mental health support for at-risk children and young people requires systemic reform, including:
- Investing in early, low-threshold support in schools and communities
- Tackling structural inequities such as poverty, racism, and ableism
- Designing inclusive, culturally competent, and accessible services through co-production
- Reforming commissioning and evaluation systems to support innovative, community-led approaches
- Empowering young people, caregivers, and frontline practitioners to take part in decision-making
Download report
Download YEF’s Access to mental health support for children and young people involved in or at risk of serious youth violence across England and Wales
Download the Annexes