§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what mechanisms the Minister for Children will establish between the services transferred to the Department for Education and Skills, and the relevant services remaining in the Department of Health, to ensure the development of a comprehensive Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service. [121240]
§ Margaret Hodge[holding answer 23 June 2003]: The Department of Health will continue to have responsibility for the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, and as before will continue to work in close co-operation with the Department for Education and Skills. I will be working closely with ministerial colleagues in the Department of Health to address the needs of children and young people who require co-ordinated support from health and social services, including those with mental health problems. In particular we will be collaborating closely in the development of the forthcoming Children's National service Framework, which will set out standards for delivery of health and social care services for children, and DfES and DH will continue to have joint responsibility for the development of policy on Children's Trusts.