Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure SEND students in mainstream schools receive adequate mental health support.

The department is committed to strengthening the special educational needs and disability (SEND) system, including for pupils in mainstream schools with mental health difficulties who have SEND.

The Independent Review into prevalence and support for mental health conditions, ADHD and autism, found that neurodevelopmental, mental health and physical health conditions frequently occur together, and children with SEND are significantly more likely to experience poor mental health and wellbeing. Early identification of SEND and timely access to appropriate support can improve children's social and emotional wellbeing, reduce distress, improve school belonging and support better mental health.

We are accelerating the rollout of Mental Health Support Teams so that by 2029, all schools and colleges will have access to specialist mental health professionals, and every child and young person can get support before problems escalate.