Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Mental Wellbeing of Pupils

Monday 23 May 2022 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The government announced 10 million to extend senior mental health lead training to schools, aiming to reach two thirds of schools by 2023 and all by 2025.
  • The government plans to roll out mental health support teams to 35% of schools by the following year and is investing an additional 7 million in this programme.
  • The government is investing an initial 2.6 billion in capital for special educational needs and alternative provision places.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Helen Morgan Lib Dem North Shropshire
Education Mental Health
Context

The question is prompted by concerns over rising student mental health issues, exacerbated by the pandemic. A Guardian survey found that 43% of GPs had advised parents to seek private care for children's poor mental health.

Question

What steps he is taking to help primary and secondary schools support pupils' mental wellbeing? Since being elected, I have visited many schools in my constituency where teachers and students consistently report struggling with poor mental health. The situation has worsened since the pandemic. Will the Minister commit to adopting the recommendations of my hon. Friend Munira Wilson and reporting annually on young people's mental health?

Answer from Will Quince

We announced £10 million to extend senior mental health lead training to more schools, reaching two thirds of schools by 2023 and all by 2025. We will roll out mental health support teams to 35% of schools by next year and we are investing an additional £7 million in this programme.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to annual reporting on young people's mental health was not addressed

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Q2 Helen Morgan Lib Dem North Shropshire
Education Mental Health
Context

The question arises from the completion of a school building programme at Whitworth Community High School, signifying progress in educational infrastructure.

Question

I hope the Minister will join me in congratulating Gillian Middlemas and the staff and pupils of Whitworth Community High School on their topped-out ceremony. I also hope he will visit my constituency to see the work being done there.

Answer from Will Quince

I would be happy to visit the right hon. Friend's constituency, and I am sure that the school takes a whole-school approach on mental health and wellbeing.

Answered
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Q3 Jake Berry Con
Education Children & Families
Context

Concerns over inadequate support and lack of consistent funding in pupil referral units which cater to students with severe special educational needs and disabilities.

Question

Will the Minister look at the model delivered by Orchardside School, a multi-agency approach for multidisciplinary education? Can he come see their work and understand how sustained investment can make a difference?

Answer from Will Quince

I would be very happy to visit the hon. Lady's constituency. We are investing an initial £2.6 billion in capital for SEND and alternative provision places, which will have a game-changing impact.

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Q4 Feryal Clark Lab Enfield North
Mental Health Environment
Context

The question is about initiating a national campaign where schools can engage in litter picking to boost students' mental wellbeing through extracurricular activities.

Question

Does the Minister agree that a national campaign would help boost kids' mental wellbeing by getting them involved in extra-curricular activities like litter picking?

Answer from Will Quince

I would encourage a campaign to tackle littering, as it can be one of the best ways to get children and young people outside and engaged in extracurricular activities that boost mental wellbeing.

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Q5 Mark Logan
Children & Families
Context

Parents and educators are concerned about the delays in identifying children's special educational needs, impacting early intervention opportunities.

Question

Are Ministers aware that many parents are waiting months or even years for assessments and statements? Why do they not address this urgent issue?

Answer from Will Quince

The SEND and alternative provision review focuses on inclusivity, with a key goal being the early identification of special educational needs. I regularly meet my counterpart at the Department for Health and Social Care to discuss this issue.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific action or timeline was not committed to

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