Manchester to pilot integrated mental health support for care-experienced young people

Children and young people supported by social care in Greater Manchester are set to benefit from a new pilot designed to improve access to mental health support by bringing NHS and social care professionals together.

The Care Together programme will see mental health professionals from existing NHS services embedded in children’s social care settings across Stockport, Tameside and Rochdale. It aims to replace fragmented provision with faster access to needs-led support, including family therapy and help for parents and primary caregivers.

The Government is investing up to £9.4 million over three years in the pilot, which will be run by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board in partnership with the three local authorities. Based on the latest figures for children in need, those on child protection plans, children in care and care leavers, including adopted children, the programme could cover up to 7,000 children and young people, as well as their parents, carers and guardians.

Dame Diana Johnson, Minister of State for Public Health and Patient Safety, said: “For too long, fragmented mental health services have left young people in care, care leavers, parents, carers, and guardians not knowing where to turn for support.

“We are committed to change how we support young people, and this exciting and innovative pilot will see thousands more children across Greater Manchester get specialist mental health support based on their personal needs and in quicker time, before they reach crisis point.”

The pilot follows Professor Fonagy’s independent review into mental health conditions, ADHD and autism, which recommended better integrated mental health support. By bringing professionals together in one team, the programme is intended to reduce the need for children and families to navigate multiple services to access help.

Children’s Minister Josh MacAlister said: “Every child deserves people in their corner, and we know that children supported by social care often face severe mental health challenges because of the trauma and adversity they have faced.”

He said the pilot would sit alongside wider measures to support children leaving care, including the national rollout of the Staying Close programme and expanded corporate parenting duties for public bodies. He added: “All of this is intended to help some of our most vulnerable young people feel supported into adult life and have enduring, loving relationships into the future.”

Professor Manisha Kumar, Chief Clinical Officer at NHS Greater Manchester, said the pilot would help provide trauma informed care and holistic support to children and families known to social care.

“By meeting needs earlier and in a joined-up way, we will provide trauma informed care and holistic support to ensure this vulnerable group have the right support at the right time,” she said.

The programme is due to launch in early 2027 and run until 2029. An evaluation will assess its impact and whether the model could be expanded to other areas of the country.

The pilot forms part of a wider programme of children’s social care reform, backed by £2.4 billion through the Families First Partnership Programme. Other measures include a commitment to create 10,000 new foster places during the current Parliament and expanded Staying Close support for care leavers up to the age of 25, covering employment, housing, education and health.

The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act has also been passed, with the Government saying it will change how public agencies safeguard children, work together and share information. A further £500 million is being invested in expanding children’s homes and increasing care placements.