The NHS Alliance is calling on the government to introduce a new national mental health performance target for children and young people, warning of an “appalling treatment gap” for those unable to access timely NHS support.
The organisation says a formal waiting‑time standard is urgently needed to improve accountability, drive investment and ensure earlier access to treatment for young people experiencing mental ill health.
The call follows the release of official data showing that, despite progress in some parts of the NHS, access to specialist mental health services for children and young people remains severely constrained.
More than 90,000 under‑18s in England are currently waiting over two years following referral for their first meaningful contact with NHS specialist community mental health services. Between December 2025 and February 2026, around 70 per cent of children and young people with a mental health need waited longer than four weeks to access care.
The NHS Alliance said these delays risk conditions worsening and place long‑term pressure on health, education, and social care services.
The NHS Alliance is urging ministers to introduce a clear four‑week standard from first referral for children and young people’s mental health services.
The organisation argues that a formal target would help hold both the NHS and government to account for improving access, shine a spotlight on areas where progress is falling short, and strengthen the case for additional funding and workforce support where required.
It also believes that early access to treatment would help prevent problems escalating, reducing the need for more intensive and costly interventions later on.
The call follows a major NHS Alliance conference in Birmingham, attended by more than 200 mental health leaders, focused on the future of services and sharing examples of good practice.
Findings from an NHS Alliance survey of mental health leaders reveal widespread concern about the impact of rising demand and financial pressures on services.
Nearly two‑thirds (64%) of respondents said their financial position is expected to be tougher this year than last, while 94% reported being concerned or very concerned about increasing demand for mental health support. A further 61% said they were worried about the effect that financial pressures would have on the quality of care.
The NHS Alliance said the combination of rising demand, workforce challenges and constrained budgets risks undermining efforts to improve access to mental health services for children and young people.
Without stronger national accountability and additional support, the organisation warned that waiting times could continue to grow, with long‑term consequences for young people’s health and wellbeing.
The organisation believes introducing a national performance target would send a strong signal that children and young people’s mental health is a priority, aligning it with other areas of NHS care where clear standards have helped drive improvement.
The NHS Alliance said a four‑week standard would support earlier intervention, reduce inequalities in access, and help ensure young people receive the help they need before problems become more severe.
Rebecca Gray, Director of the NHS Alliance’s Mental Health Network, said:
"Mental health is centre-stage in national debate and is fundamental to what the government is trying to achieve.
"There is growing recognition of its key role in supporting economic activity, education and public wellbeing.
"But despite being an important element in the 10-Year Health Plan, mental health has less visibility than other NHS pressures.
"Ongoing mental health prevalence and service reviews may help shift the dial, but it is important that conclusions are translated into action if we are to address the appalling treatment gap faced by people with mental ill health.
"If that means targets in relation to people, particularly young people, being able to access the mental healthcare they need, bring it on.
"We know the sector faces major challenges – we recognise the importance of accountability and ensuring lessons are learned when things go wrong.
"We want the same accountability, and visibility, for waiting times as the hospital sector.
"But let’s also learn from the extraordinary successes that are being delivered, often without fanfare, which underline the fact that meeting the mental health needs of the population is not an “add on” to addressing pressure elsewhere in the NHS; it is a core part of the solution.
"Mental health leaders deserve recognition for the progress they are making, and support to think radically about what is possible to better serve our communities."
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