Minister Butler encourages parents, young people and mental health professionals to participate in consultation on draft National Standards for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)

Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler TD, is encouraging the public to participate in the public consultation on the draft National Standards for CAMHS, asking children and young people, parents, carers, mental health professionals and service providers to share their views.

Minister Butler legislated for the regulation of CAMHS for the first time in the recently passed Mental Health Act 2026 and requested the Mental Health Commission prioritise the development of the necessary standards for CAMHS as part of the implementation of the new Act.

The new standards represent an important step in strengthening quality, consistency and accountability across Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and form a key part of the new regulatory framework established under the Mental Health Act 2026. The draft standards place a strong emphasis on children's rights, safety and wellbeing, responsiveness of services, and accountability.

The public consultation is seeking feedback from children and young people with experience of CAMHS, parents and carers, mental health professionals, advocates, peer supporters, service providers and the wider public. Feedback will help inform the final version of the standards before they are introduced.

Encouraging participation in the consultation, Minister Butler said:

The draft standards have been informed by expert advice, evidence, policy developments and engagement with stakeholders including people with lived experience. They are designed to support safe, person-centred and rights-based mental health services for children and young people.

The Minister is particularly interested in views on whether the standards cover the key aspects of care, use clear and accessible language, and can be delivered effectively in practice.

Minister Butler added:

The consultation will remain open for public submissions for the next six weeks. Feedback received will be used to refine the standards before they are finalised and implemented.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Mental Health Act 2026 and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)

• The Mental Health Act 2026 was signed into law on 7 May 2026 and introduces a modernised, rights-based framework for mental health services in Ireland.
• The Act provides, for the first time, a statutory framework for the regulation of community mental health services, including Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Community CAMHS will be subject to registration, inspection, monitoring and enforcement by the Mental Health Commission.
• The legislation extends the regulatory remit of the Mental Health Commission beyond inpatient mental health services to include community mental health centres and services, including community CAMHS.
• The Mental Health Commission is developing Ireland's first dedicated National Standards for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. These standards will apply across both inpatient and community CAMHS settings.
• The new Act places a strong emphasis on the rights, voice and participation of children and young people in decisions regarding their care and treatment. It includes specific guiding principles relating to children and young people.
• Under the legislation, young people aged 16 and 17 who have decision-making capacity may consent to or refuse mental health treatment, strengthening their autonomy and involvement in care decisions.
• The Act introduces additional safeguards for children and young people receiving inpatient mental health care, including enhanced oversight of restrictive practices and strengthened care-planning requirements.
• Full implementation of the Act will occur on a phased basis, supported by the development of secondary legislation, codes of practice, regulatory standards and workforce training.