A survey of the mental health of children and young people in care in England in 2020 and 2021

Recent research studies estimate that 1 in 8 children and young people in England are likely to be impacted by mental ill health, with this estimate rising to 1 in 6 during the Covid-19 pandemic [1, 2]. Evidence suggests a much higher prevalence of mental ill health in the population of children and
young people living in State care in England [3].

Mental ill health experienced in childhood and adolescence not only impacts the short and long-term health, wellbeing, socioeconomic trajectories and family life of children and young people, but also exerts pressure and a financial toll on the health and social care systems and the State through its impact on mental health services, the cost of interventions and pressure on State benefits systems [4-
6]. However, as the most recent national survey of the mental health of children and young people in care was carried out in 2002, little is known about recent trends [3]. In addition, there has been limited scope in recent research studies to explore how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected this vulnerable group of children. This report focuses on the findings from two surveys of children and young people in care which were conducted in 2020 and 2021 to address these gaps in knowledge.