NEW figures from the House of Commons Library reveal that Somerset is falling behind national averages in providing timely mental health and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) care for children and young people.

The data highlights delays in both assessments and the delivery of Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans.

While the legal requirement is for local authorities to issue EHC plans within 20 weeks of an assessment request, Somerset managed this in just 33.5 per cent of cases, well below the national average of 46.2 per cent. Furthermore, 11.5 per cent of EHC plans in Somerset took over a year to be issued, compared to a national average of 7.3 per cent.

Somerset’s data shows that within state-funded schools, pupils from nine to eleven years old are the most likely to receive SEND support.

MP Anna Sabine (Liberal Democrats, Frome and East Somerset) has responded to the data by launching a local Children and Young People’s Mental Health Hackathon on Saturday, September 6, in Frome seeking to bring together young people, concerned adults, community groups and professionals to explore solutions and support.

The event will feature a programme of events across venues in Frome, including a panel discussion at Frome Town Hall and a variety of talks and events on different areas of thinking around young people’s mental health. The aim is to bring together the community in a solution led collaborative effort to help support our children.

Ms Sabine said: “It’s not hard to understand the pressures our young people face today. Global events, the closure of local resources, anxiety-inducing headlines and constant access to social media all contribute to rising levels of stress and unease in children.

“We urgently need proper investment in our children’s futures through better resources for local councils.”