Current policy consultations

As part of our work we respond to policy consultations relevant to young people’s health both for AYPH and as part of the Young People’s Health Partnership.  Responses to consultations and links to relevant open consultations are set out below.

ONS children’s wellbeing indicators

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) are updating their list of children’s wellbeing indicators. The proposal includes an expanded set of indicators (71 in total), including a new focus on ‘disadvantaged’ groups (young carers, LAC, homelessness, LGBT). We’re supportive of the refreshed indicator set, but would like to see additional information on indicators that are especially pertinent to young people’s health (e.g. employment/NEET, sexually transmitted infections, road traffic accidents, engagement with youth services, experiences of healthcare services). You can read our response to the consultation here.

Managing the Impact of Social Media on Young People’s Mental Health & Wellbeing

The APPG on Social Media and Young People’s Mental Health and Wellbeing held an inquiry into managing the impact of social media on young people’s mental health and wellbeing. The inquiry aimed to build the evidence base on the issue and inform progressive and practical solutions including a proposed industry Code of Conduct. You can read our response to the call for evidence here.

Green Paper: Transforming Children and Young People’s Mental Health Provision

The Green Paper sets out the Government’s plans to improve mental health support for children and young people.  It includes a focus on prevention and stresses the importance of work with schools and colleges.

AYPH has highlighted the need for mental health support from prevention through to specialist services for all young people age 10 – 25.  We think that everyone working with young people must be involved in improving mental health support including the VCSE and families.  You can read our response to the consultation as part of the Young People’s Health Partnership here.  Youth Access, acting on behalf of The Young People’s Health Partnership, was commissioned by DHSC to run four 2 hour focus groups with young people to get their thoughts on the proposals outlined in the green paper. You can read our report on what the young people thought of the proposals here.

Changes to teaching of Sex and Relationships Education and PSHE

This consultation will inform the delivery of commitments the Government made to:

• • introduce statutory relationships and sex education (RSE) in all secondary schools from 2019 and statutory ‘relationships education’ in all primary schools
  • update statutory guidance on relationships and sex education (last updated in 2000
  • consider whether to make PSHE statutory in its entirety.

High quality PSHE is important for all young people and we will be responding to this consultation and confirming our support for PSHE to be made statutory in its entirety. You can read our response to the call for evidence as part of the Young People’s Health Partnership here.