Public consultation on Children’s and Young People’s Emotional Health and Wellbeing Framework in Northern Ireland

The Health Minister has launched a 14-week public consultation on a draft Children's and Young People's Emotional Health and Wellbeing Framework.

The aim of the Framework is to provide a consistent system-wide approach to children's emotional health and wellbeing provision, including for those children who have neurodevelopmental or other related conditions or needs.

The Framework will support commissioners and policymakers to make the most appropriate decisions based on the best available evidence and intervention models.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: “This Framework sets out a consistent system-wide approach to children's emotional health and wellbeing provision over the next 10 years.

“The Framework will drive our work and ultimately help support service improvement and partnership working across health, education and other key services and agencies, including working collaboratively with the community and voluntary sector.

“My vision is that this Framework will provide the opportunity to recognise that supporting children's emotional health and wellbeing is everyone's responsibility. I would urge everyone to take the time to respond to this consultation, particularly those with lived experience of accessing children's services, and make your opinions known. My Department is committed to considering all views expressed.”

The Framework aims to address a number of key issues, including:

• Long waiting times and poor experiences while waiting;
• Delays in identification and assessment of needs, which compromises children and young people's progress;
• Confusion about how to navigate the system and services across health, education and community support;
• The need to heighten awareness around children and young people's preferences for how to access services and support;
• Gaps in access to advice and support whilst waiting, and in our response to those not requiring specialist care but who have other needs;
• The need to change our environment and approach to supporting neurodiverse children and young people.

The consultation document and response questionnaire are both available on the Department's website at https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-hsc-children-and-young-peoples-emotional-health-and-wellbeing-framework and on the Citizen Space link here: Children and Young People's Emotional Health and Wellbeing Framework Consultation

The closing date for responses is 28 August 2025.

Notes to editors:

1. In December 2023 the Department of Health published the Autism Strategy 2023-28 along with a two-year (2023-2025) Delivery Plan.  Consultation and publication of the Emotional Health and Wellbeing Framework is included in commitment one of the Delivery Plan.
2. This draft Framework has been co-produced together with a wide range of stakeholders across the statutory, voluntary and community sectors, including young people, parents, practitioners, and policy makers who were engaged throughout the development of the Framework.