In the face of unprecedented pressure, NHS trusts across England are adopting innovative strategies to enhance services for children and young people, according to a new report by NHS Providers.
The report, Providers Deliver: Putting Young People at the Heart of Care, sheds light on the extraordinary challenges facing CYP services, including record-breaking demand and prolonged waiting times. As of March 2025, over 562,000 children and young people were waiting for mental health services—more than double pre-pandemic levels. In community health services, 314,430 young people are on waiting lists, with 22% waiting over a year for care.
NHS Providers warns that these delays can have a profound impact on young people’s health and development. The report calls for urgent national prioritisation to scale up successful local initiatives and ensure timely intervention during this critical stage of life.
Key innovations highlighted in the report include:
- Youth Engagement in Service Design: Trusts such as Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust and Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust are involving young people early in the design of services. This approach ensures care is tailored to local needs and improves access.
- Integrated, Holistic Care: London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust is working closely with local partners to deliver wrap-around care that supports both children and their families.
- Digital and AI-Driven Solutions: Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust is leading the way in digital innovation, using data and AI to empower young people and their families to manage their health more effectively.
In the report’s foreword Professor Sir Terence Stephenson, Chair of NHS Providers, said:
"For too long, children and young people have not been prioritised at a national level, with devastating long-term effects for individuals and their families, as well as to the NHS and the economy.
"The examples in this report show how committed trust leaders are to improving the outcomes and experiences of children and young people, but further national action is needed.
"We are calling on the government to prioritise children and young people in all national policy making, and particularly the upcoming 10 Year Health Plan and Comprehensive Spending Review – because children matter."
The report underscores the importance of learning from these pioneering approaches and scaling them nationally to meet the growing demand. Trust leaders are calling for sustained investment and policy support to ensure every child and young person receives the care they need, when they need it.
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