Meet Me Where I Am
New research from The Children's Society reveals how the current mental health support system is failing to reach many children and young people who need help most. Drawing on evidence from research, practitioners, and children and young people themselves, the report highlights the barriers preventing under-served groups from accessing timely and appropriate mental health support, and what policymakers can do to change this.
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Support
Key findings
Children and young people told us that access to support is shaped by far more than service availability. Barriers are often rooted in how support is designed, delivered and experienced.
Trust and relationships matter
Many children and young people said they struggled to access support because they did not have a trusted adult, did not feel listened to, or experienced inconsistent relationships with professionals.
“Knowing they are going to be here for me is important. It is important they show up every time.” – Young person
The system is not fit
The system is not fit for under-served children and young people
Current services often expect children and young people to adapt to rigid processes rather than adapting support to individual needs, creating particular difficulties for under-served groups.
“Attendance and behaviour become the focus, but no one steps back to ask what’s driving that behaviour in the first place.” – Practitioner
The ‘missing middle’ gap most impacts under-served groups
The system is not equipped to respond to complexity, particularly for those whose needs are less visible or do not meet standard thresholds. This leaves many without appropriate help until they reach crisis point.
“Young people are constantly told they’re too well for one service and too unwell for another. In reality, nothing changes about their needs – it’s just the system that can’t hold them.” – Practitioner
Access is fragmented
Access often depends on schools and complicated referral systems. Families with less knowledge, confidence or support can struggle to navigate the system.
“I’ll ask ChatGPT instead of a professional.” – Young person
Short-term funding undermines access
Practitioners told us that short-term funding makes it harder to build the trusted, long-term relationships that are essential for engaging under-served children and young people and deliver consistent support.
You spend years building trust, and just as the service works, the funding runs out – young people feel abandoned all over again.
– Practitioner
What works?
What works?
Our findings show that under-served children and young people benefit most from:
- Relationship-based, consistent support
- Community-based services delivered in trusted settings
- Flexible and inclusive approaches tailored to individual needs
- Early intervention that recognises complexity and prevents escalation of need
Spotlight: Space to Grow
- The report also highlights learning from Space to Grow, The Children's Society's wellbeing programme for children aged 8–13, delivered in partnership with Children First and MACS and funded by BBC Children in Need.
- Between October 2024 and March 2026, the programme reached more than 9,950 children and young people and over 1,700 parents and carers.
- 82% of children who completed direct support through Space to Grow showed an improvement in their wellbeing and mental health.
- The programme demonstrates the value of delivering flexible, community-based support that meets children where they are.
Policy recommendations
The report sets out a series of policy implications for governments across the UK, including:
- Long-term and sustainable funding for mental health and wellbeing services
- Better integrated and easier-to-navigate support systems
- Greater investment in early intervention and support for the ‘missing middle’
- More flexible, community-based provision
- Whole-family approaches to wellbeing
- Meaningful participation of children and young people in service design
Nation-specific policy briefings
Mental health policy is devolved across the UK. Alongside the main report, we have produced separate policy briefings for each nation. These contain tailored recommendations reflecting national policy contexts.
England
Meet Me Where I Am: Policy briefing for England
Wales
Meet Me Where I Am: Policy briefing for Wales
Scotland
Meet Me Where I Am: Policy briefing for Scotland
Northern Ireland
