Background & Sources

Prime Minister, Theresa May’s pledge to reform the 1983 Mental Health Act is most welcome, but children’s mental health and wellbeing must be central to any new proposals.

The Child Mental Health Charter sets out the essential principles that should underpin a much-needed reform.

In May 2018, Play Therapy UK (a leading professional organisation in children’s mental health) joined the All Party Parliamentary Group on A Fit and Healthy Childhood and contributed alongside experts from other organisations to the report ‘Mental Health in Childhood’.

The report identified some shortcomings in the Green Paper ‘Transforming Children’s and Young People’s Mental Health’ and PTUK was delighted to sponsor the APPG’s further report: ‘Children’s Mental Health beyond the Green Paper,’ launched at Westminster on 30th January 2019. The Child Mental Health Charter embodies the spirit and principle of both reports in an inclusive and practical way.

Two Key Charter Points:

The Charter calls upon the Government to bring forward Mental Health legislation in 2019 following the Prime Minister’s November 2018 pledge to reform the 1983 Mental Health Act to correct ‘the burning injustice’ experienced by people with a mental illness. In January 2019, her vision for a new NHS plan affirmed that resources from a total investment of £2.3bn would be allocated to support 350,000 children and young people living with mental health conditions.

The Charter is immediately applicable as a set of de-facto standards for all those working therapeutically with children with the objective of improving the safety and effectiveness of practice. It is scandalous that many unqualified, unregistered persons (in the absence of an adequate clinical supervision system) are currently working with children and using interventions that are both unproven and unsafe.

This is an opportunity for Parliament and the Government to act now to make a positive difference in the lives of children and their families by addressing a long-neglected but crucial policy area. It is a window of opportunity and a chance for policy-makers to take decisions that will put our children first.

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PRE 2020 CHARTER HISTORY

19th December 2019 – THE QUEEN’S SPEECH

‘MY MINISTERS WILL CONTINUE TO WORK TO REFORM THE MENTAL HEALTH ACT’ The Government needs to modernise the Mental Health Act to ensure people have greater control over their treatment and receive the dignity and respect they deserve.

16th December 2019 – THE NEW PARLIAMENT

MPs return to Westminster for the first day of the new Parliament. Prime Minister, Boris Johnson will be announcing a few new Ministerial appointments; notably Secretary of State for Wales.

13th December – THE CHILD MENTAL HEALTH CHARTER PLEDGE

We have now launched Phase Two of the Child Mental Health Charter Campaign. We hope that all MPs will sign the Pledge ( below) and campaign for it. On 12th December 2019 a Conservative Government was elected.

8th December 2019 – THE GENERAL ELECTION AND THE NEW GOVERNMENT

On Friday 13th December we will have a new Government. Whichever party forms it, the Child Mental Health Charter Campaign is ready to start Phase Two of the campaign.

1st December 2019 – FUNDING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR CHILDREN HAS LASTING BENEFITS FOR US ALL

The Child Mental Health Charter Campaign fights to achieve the very best mental health services for children. Readers of this site can see just how much importance the different political parties give to mental health as shown by their Manifestos.

25th November 2019 – THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY MANIFESTO: BRIEFING FOR REGISTRANTS

he Conservative Party Manifesto for the General Election of 12th December 2019 devotes 41 words to the entire topic of mental health and does not mention the needs of children at all.

25th November, 2019 – CONSERVATIVE PARTY MANIFESTO: MENTAL HEALTH

The Conservative Party launched their Manifesto for the 12th December 2019 General Election on Sunday, 24th November. This is what the Manifesto said about mental health: ‘We will treat mental health with the same urgency as physical health.

21st November 2019 – LABOUR COMMITS TO THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW MENTAL HEALTH ACT

On the 11th November, the Opposition Labour Party announced some of its General Election policies for mental health. The Child Mental Health Charter Campaign gave them a careful welcome.

20th November 2019 – THE GREEN PARTY MANIFESTO AND MENTAL HEALTH

The Green Party’s Manifesto for the December 12th 2019 General Election gives a commitment to repeal the 2012 Health and Social Care Act and abolish the internal market in healthcare.

19th November 2019 – LIBERAL DEMOCRATS PLEDGE ‘AN EXTRA PENNY ON INCOME TAX’ TO BOOST SPENDING ON MENTAL HEALTH

Liberal Democrat NHS spending plans today reveal that £11bn out of the £35bn the party intends to raise by putting an extra penny on income tax will be ring-fenced for mental health provision.

11th November, 2019 – THE LABOUR PARTY: NEW CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH PLANS

The Labour Patry has become the FIRST of the political parties during the 2019 General Election Campaign to announce policies on mental health provision for children.

8th November 2019 – OUR CHARTER CAMPAIGN MILESTONES

Since we started our Child Mental Health Charter Campaign we’ve been very busy! On May 16th Sir David Amess MP raised the urgent need for a reform of the 1983 Mental Health Act prioritising the needs of children.

8th November 2019 – LOIS BUNN MEETS PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATE ROBIN WALKER

Hearty congratulations to PTUK Registrant, Lois Bunn who scored a brilliant success when she visited Robin Walker (currently seeking re-election as Conservative MP for Worcester). In the last Parliament, Robin served as Under Secretary of State.

14th September 2019 – NOW IS THE TIME TO STEP UP OUR CAMPAIGN!

On 29th October 2019, the Child Mental Health Charter Campaign will be holding a Reception from 4-6pm in the Jubilee Room at the House of Commons. Hosted by Sir David Amess MP, this will be a real campaign landmark.

2nd September 2019 – WE’RE GETTING THE MESSAGE THROUGH! GOVERNMENT IS LISTENING!

Jeff and Helen were delighted to have an excellent meeting in Westminster with Andrew Rossindell MP during the time of the Conservative leadership contest. Andrew was a vigorous supporter of Boris Johnson’s campaign and we thank him very much indeed.

25th July, 2019 – NEW PRIME MINISTER BORIS JOHNSON HAS APPOINTED HIS CABINET

For CMHC campaigners, the main point is that Matt Hancock remains in his post as Health Secretary. We are most grateful to MPs George Howarth, Sir David Amess and Tom Brake who have written directly to Mr Hancock.

22nd July 2019 – CHILD MENTAL HEALTH CHARTER SUPPORTER ELECTED AS LIB DEM LEADER

The Child Mental Health Charter Campaign warmly extends its congratulations to Jo Swinson MP, who was elected today as the first ever woman leader of the Liberal Democratic Party.

16th July 2019 – BORIS JOHNSON SPEAKS OUT ON CHILDHOOD OBESITY AND MENTAL HEALTH

Tackling any sort of decline in young people’s overall well-being will be a key pillar in my programme for government.

11th July 2019 – SIR DAVID AMESS MP AGREES TO WRITE A LETTER

We are delighted to report that David Amess MP who has been so helpful to our campaign has agreed to write to the new Prime Minister about the importance of Mental Health legislation.

6th July 2019 – JACKIE DOYLE-PRICE, HEALTH MINISTER, REPLIES TO TOM BRAKE MP

Tom Brake has received a reply from Health Minister, Jackie Doyle Price in response to his letter written at our request. And progress has now been made! Ms Doyle-Price now states that the Government will be issuing a White Paper.

24th June 2019 – MEETING WITH BARRY SHEERMAN MP

Helen had an excellent meeting with Barry Sheerman MP at Westminster. Barry’s wealth of experience and breadth of knowledge on matters of child health and wellbeing are highly valued across the political divide in public life.

21st June 2019 – CAMPAIGN UPDATE

MPs returned after a week’s short Whitsun Recess. However, they were certainly not inactive as far as our dynamic campaign is concerned!

23rd May 2019 – WE ARE MENTIONED IN THE COMMONS AGAIN

Today the campaign was mentioned ‘in dispatches’ as the phrase goes – or rather, on the floor of the House of Commons! We are extremely grateful to Sir David Amess MP for bringing this campaign dynamically to the attention.

22nd May 2019 – GOOD NEWS FROM RUTH GEORGE MP

Following a meeting with Monika, Jeff and Helen at Westminster, Ruth George MP has agreed to put down some Written Questions for us.

23rd July 2019 – JANET DABY IS THE 50th MP TO SIGN OUR EDM

This is a milestone – we now need another 50 signatures so that we will become a contender for a live debate on the floor of the House of Commons! Thank you to all the MPs who have signed.

22nd MAY 2019 – HELEN CLARK MEETS THE SHADOW COMMUNITY HEALTH MINISTER

Helen Clark, Charter Campaign Spokesperson had a meeting at Westminster with Julie Cooper MP: Shadow Community Health Minister. Julie has agreed to submit some Education Questions for Oral Answer for us in the House of Commons.

17th May 2019 – SIR DAVID AMESS MP RAISES THE REFORM OF THE MENTAL HEALTH ACT IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

On 17th May our Charter Campaign to achieve the inclusion of a Mental Health Bill prioritising the needs of children and young people in the next Queen’s Speech reached a unique new milestone.

16th May 2019 – A MEETING WITH TOM BRAKE MP

In relationship to moving the charter forward Monika and Jeff on behalf of PTUK saw Tom Brake at the Houses of Parliament. Tom has supported the EDM and has promised to contact more office colleagues to support the EDM.

7th May 2019 – CAMPAIGN UPDATE

Helen, Monika and Jeff met Ruth George MP at Westminster to discuss the campaign. Ruth has agreed to table some Written Questions to Ministers for us.

30th April 2019 – CAMPAIGN UPDATE

Helen Clark, Monika and Jeff met Sir David Amess MP at Westminster. Sir David agreed to ask a Business Question to Leader of the House, Andrea Leadsom MP – a first for the campaign.

7th March 2019 – CAMPAIGN LAUNCH AGREED

Helen Clark and Phil Royal from the APPG on A Fit and Healthy Childhood and Royal Public Affairs met Monika and Jeff at the Offices of PTUK. It was agreed to launch the Child Mental Health Charter Campaign.

30th January 2019 – PUBLICATION OF APPG REPORT “THE ROLE OF PRACTICE BASED EVIDENCE”

A Westminster reception for the Report ‘Children’s Mental Health Beyond the Green Paper, The Role of Practice Based Evidence’ was held in the House of Commons Terrace Pavilions.