County to have nine mental health support teams in place within next two years

Lincolnshire is due to have nine mental health support teams in place by 2026.

Government figures have revealed that all seven of the county’s districts - which support the emotional wellbeing needs of children and young people aged from five up to 18 - would be catered for within the next two years.

The introduction of three more teams will take the number operating in the county up to seven this year.

There were zero teams in the county until 2021.

“By 2025, the NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board expects there will be approximately 166 education settings with a mental health support team across Lincolnshire, covering 46% of all maintained or academy settings, and over 66,000 children and young people, or 60% of the total number on roll in Lincolnshire,” a Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board statement said.

“Since 2021, mental health support teams in Lincolnshire have supported 6,985 pupils.”

Two teams covering Lincoln and West Lindsey were introduced in 2021, followed by two teams covering Boston and East Lindsey the following year.

Three more teams are being added this year, covering South Holland and the Deepings (one) and South and North Kesteven (two).

A team covering Lincoln South and North Kesteven will be introduced next year followed by a ninth team covering East Lindsey in 2026.

The information was released by Minister of State for Care Stephen Kinnock following a written question from South Holland and the Deepings MP Sir John Hayes.