CQC upgrades children’s mental health services at Avon and Wiltshire NHS Trust

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has upgraded specialist community mental health services for children and young people at Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust from requires improvement to good following an inspection in June 2026.

The inspection assessed progress since the previous inspection, when the trust was in breach of three regulations relating to risk assessments, long waiting lists, safe staffing and environmental concerns. CQC found improvements across these areas, with the service no longer in breach of regulations.

The ratings for safe and responsive care improved from requires improvement to good, while effective, caring and well-led remained good. However, the trust’s overall rating remains requires improvement.

CQC found that staff developed tailored care packages and worked with wider support teams to help keep hospital admissions low. Young people with eating disorders, for example, could receive nasogastric tube feeding in the community, helping them remain at home.

Young people awaiting appointments could access round-the-clock crisis support, with staff monitoring changes in their needs. This helped those experiencing deteriorating mental health receive support more quickly.

Inspectors also found that staff treated young people with kindness and supported them to set treatment goals. Families reported that the care and support had improved their young person’s life.

The service had established an internal clinic to improve access to blood tests, weight monitoring and electrocardiograms (ECGs), reducing the need to approach GPs for these services and helping young people avoid waiting for results.

However, CQC highlighted continuing challenges with high demand and long waits for appointments. Inspectors also found that young people were not always involved in care planning, and some had not received a copy of their care plan.

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