UKCP responds to the final Fonagy Review

UKCP responds to the final report from Professor Peter Fonagy’s independent review into mental health conditions, ADHD and autism in England

Jon Levett, UKCP chief executive, said:

‘We welcome the final report from Professor Peter Fonagy’s independent review into mental health conditions, ADHD and autism in England.

‘We agree with the review that support should start when someone needs it. A diagnosis is valuable to many and should remain available to anyone who needs one, but it should not be the only route into support.

‘Hundreds of thousands of people are waiting for assessment and their difficulties can worsen in the meantime. The report records over 560,000 open ADHD referrals alone by the end of 2025. Only around half of autism services offered any support during the wait. Many of those waiting also experience anxiety, depression or trauma-related distress. Support should not be delayed until an assessment is complete.

‘Psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors already support neurodivergent clients and people with mental health conditions. UKCP-registered practitioners can help fill this gap.

‘We also support the review’s call for services to work together, so people are not turned away or passed between services because their needs do not fit a single category.

‘The next step is for the government to turn these recommendations into funded plans. This requires sustained investment and workforce planning, developed with professional bodies as the review recommends, making full use of trained psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. The cross-government mental health strategy the review calls for this year is where this work can begin.’