A motion calling on Norfolk County Council to review mental health services for young people outside the education system was defeated at the March 24 meeting, with 30 councillors voting against and 21 in favour.

The motion, proposed by Cllr Lucy Shires, highlighted that teenagers aged 16-18 who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) are less likely to benefit from school and college-based mental health support, including Mental Health Support Teams embedded in those institutions.

It noted that national evidence links disengagement from education with higher risks of poor mental health, social isolation and long-term economic inactivity — and argued that early intervention was both a moral responsibility and financially prudent.

If passed, the motion would have asked the Cabinet Member for Children's Services, working alongside Public Health and the Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board, to identify gaps in early intervention and outreach support for this group, and explore community-based models to reach young people who fall outside formal education settings.

The council would also have been required to receive a report on findings and proposed actions within six months.

The motion was seconded by Cllr David Sayers, who was among those listed as absent from the meeting. It fell at the vote-only stage of proceedings after the meeting's three-hour time limit had elapsed.