Children and Young Persons Bill [HL]

I follow on from that point. I also did not speak at Second Reading, for which I apologise, but have followed with great interest, and listened carefully to, the debates involving the mental health aspect. I sound a note of caution. I strongly support our strong feelings and commitment to early intervention for children and their families; there are certainly many cases where intensive family therapy can be effective. Unfortunately we do not currently really know what type or proportion of families can benefit. I add a note in support of the comments of my noble friend Lady Howarth that we must indicate to local authorities that they should explore what facilities might be appropriate for individuals. I do not know how this is best done, but I know that it is too early in our understanding and knowledge of how these things can work to put it in statute sensibly. We must do a lot more practical research on what works before we can say that. Of course, family conferencing is important and should be encouraged, but family therapy in particular probably only works when the whole family is ready for it. It can be quite destructive at times. So I sound a note of caution about putting mental health interventions in statute. Let us explore it, encourage people to develop ideas and do more research on what really works. But let us not put it in statute in quite this form at this moment.