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  • Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families

    We are a children’s mental health charity and have been developing and delivering pioneering mental health care for over 60 years.

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  • Our Help for Children and Families

    We pioneer innovative interventions and provide specialist treatment for children, young people and their families with mental health problems.

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  • What we do

    Our aim is to transform current mental health provision in the UK by improving the quality, accessibility and effectiveness of treatment. By working in partnership with children, families, researchers, practitioners and teachers, we offer support and help, pursue cutting-edge research, and share practice.

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  • Support Us

    As you read this, around 1 in every 10 children has a diagnosable mental health problem. This year, in England alone, the cost of mental health problems is estimated to reach £109billion. If we don't act now depression will become the most frequent cause of death and disability in industrialised nations by 2020. There are many ways you can help support the Centre.

    Ways you can help

  • Training & Postgraduate Study

    Each year we provide cutting-edge training for over 3,000 professionals from across the world with the aim of sharing knowledge and improving workforce's skills in working with children and young people. We also offer Postgraduate programmes with UCL that are helping to train a new generation of researchers and clinicians.

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Transforming Children's Mental Health

Our vision is a world where children and families are supported effectively to build on their strengths and to achieve their goals in life. We will continue to promote resilience and wellbeing in children, young people and families, as we have for over 60 years.

Latest News

Ten steps towards school staff wellbeing resource launched
28th November 2018Ten steps towards school staff wellbeing resource launched
A response to the figures on the mental health of children and young people in England released today by NHS Digital
22nd November 2018A response to the figures on the mental health of children and young people in England released today by NHS Digital
Empowering young people to make informed decisions about their mental health
15th October 2018Empowering young people to make informed decisions about their mental health
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  • Anna Freud Learning Network

    The Anna Freud Learning Network brings together the best in practice and the latest in policy.  It is a space to share learning and expertise and to collaborate to develop new ways of working. 

  • Parenting Groups

    The Centre runs groups to assist parents with managing their child’s difficult or concerning behaviour, to provide strategies for helping their child understand and manage their emotions, and to improve the quality of the parent-child relationship..

  • Schools In Mind

    Schools in Mind is a free network for school staff and allied professionals which shares academic and clinical expertise regarding the wellbeing and mental health issues that affect schools. The network provides a trusted source of up-to-date and accessible information and resources that school leaders, teachers and support staff can use to support the mental health and wellbeing of the children and young people in their care.

    Join the network