Asked by: Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking in schools to improve the mental health of children up to age 16.
Answered by Lord Nash
On the 16 June 2014 the Department for Education issued new non-statutory guidance for schools and teachers on pupil’s mental health and behaviour. This guidance gives information, guidance and practical tools on how to build resilience and support good mental health. It also helps school staff identify those pupils who may have emerging problems and provides guidance on appropriate routes of support. The guidance is published online:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/mental-health-and-behaviour-in-schools--2
In addition our special educational needs (SEN) reforms are set out in the 0-25 SEN and Disability Code of Practice which is currently before Parliament. This makes it clear that schools should look to identify any underlying mental health needs that pupils have. The Code emphasises the importance of staff development and provides a number of signposts to specific support. This includes further support for teachers and adults working with children and young people, which is available through www.minded.org.uk, a website funded by the Department of Health that helps adults identify and support children and young people’s mental health issues.