Mental health needs of children and young people with learning disabilities

The Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition (CYPMHC) has published a report looking at the mental health needs of children and young people with learning disabilities in England. Findings from focus groups, literature searches and an expert reference group show that young people with learning disabilities and their families do not always have confidence in the system to meet their mental health needs and often feel ignored. Recommendations include: The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and Public Health England should map out the provision of preventative mental health support for children and young people with learning disabilities; and DHSC should fund research to strengthen and promote the use of evidence-based mental health interventions for young people with learning disabilities.

Children and young people with learning disabilities are more than four times more likely to develop a
mental health problem than those without¹. This means that 14% or one in seven of all children and
young people with mental health difficulties in the UK will also have a learning disability.
Studies suggest that it is the wider risk factors that these young people and families experience, rather
than their learning disability, that contributes to poorer mental health. This report explores these
factors combining insight from young people (aged 11 to 25), families, professionals and research.

Read the full report here

Young people from disadvantaged backgrounds are 50% more likely to become NEET (not in education, employment or training) than their more advantaged peers. Young people with physical and learning disabilities face even more challenges. It is therefore important for employers to understand this group of young people focused on in this research to ensure a better understanding of the challenges they face and how then an employer could support these young people.

If you would like more information on how you could support this group through your early careers, work experience or employment opportunities please speak to a member of the team.