To ask the Minister of Health to detail the number of children who are waiting for (i) Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services; (ii) trauma-related therapeutic support; and (iii) services relating to harmful sexual behaviour.

BHSCT & SEHSCT

At 17th April 2026 there were 785 children & young people waiting across all of our CAMHS services.

NHSCT

At 31st March 2026 there were 189 children and young people awaiting a first appointment with CAMHS.

SHSCT

As of 17th April 2026 a total of 381 young people were awaiting a first appointment with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

WHSCT

At 31st March 2026 there were 189 children and young people awaiting a first appointment with CAMHS.

BHSCT

The Family Trauma Centre which is a regional service currently has 33 children and young people waiting for specific trauma related therapeutic interventions. The breakdown by Trusts is as follows:

NHSCT

The TT-LAAC (Therapeutic Team for Looked After and Adopted Children)/Safe Connections Service has 46 young people on the waiting list in relation to trauma informed therapeutic work.

This service provides therapeutic support for children and young people looked after in foster care, residential care or kinship family homes, as well as support for professionals working with them. The service aims to promote understanding of the trauma experienced by looked after children and employs Consultant Psychologists and specialist Senior Social Work Practitioners, using a range of psychological interventions.

SEHSCT

There are 15 children/young people are waiting to commence treatment in the SEHSCT, 10 waiting for Community Paediatric Psychology and 5 for Safe Connections therapeutic input.

SHSCT

The model provided by CAMHS is a Trauma Informed Practice model although any young people requiring specific support for trauma are referred to Family Trauma Centre (FTC) which is a Regional Service. The Trust has less than 5 young people on the FTC waiting list.

WHSCT

There are no children awaiting a trauma service from the Regional Trauma Network. The Safe Connections Service has 44 children waiting across Northern and Southern sectors of the WHSCT.

BHSCT

CAMHS do not provide services specifically relating to Harmful Sexual Behaviour. The Aim to Change Service provides support in respect of Harmful Sexual Behaviour to children and young people from both BHSCT and SEHSCT. This service is managed by SEHSCT.

NHSCT

Within the NHSCT there are currently 3 young people awaiting to receive a service from the Making Changes project. This service provides assessment and support in relation to Harmful Sexual Behaviour.

SEHSCT

There are presently 2 young people awaiting assessment from the Aim To Change service in the SEHSCT.

SHSCT

Services related to Harmful Sexual Behaviour are referred to Social Services for input from their specialist team. The SHSCT have a specialist service for children and young people who engage in Harmful Sexual Behaviour. There are currently 12 young people on the waiting list for assessment through this service.

WHSCT

The Western Trust currently does not have a waiting list for their Harmful Sexual Behaviour service.