In Mental Health Awareness Week, the Government has boosted spending on mental health services for chidlren and young people in schools and colleges.
Today, Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson has announced a further £17 million in funding for pupils and students to help them recover from the devastating and ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The package has been publicised as part of the Government’s strategy to ‘build back better’ and includes:
• £9.5 million to train a ‘senior Mental Health Lead’ from existing staff in up to 7,800 schools and colleges. It is envisaged to offer this training to all schools and colleges by 2025
• A £7 million ‘Wellbeing for Education Recovery’ programme providing free, expert training, support and resources for staff dealing with children and young people experiencing additional problems arising from the pandemic including trauma, anxiety or grief. The money is issued as part of the DfE’s ‘Wellbeing for Education Return’ implemented by 90% of councils since summer 2020
• The Department of Education will also fund a ‘Link’ programme; designed to improve partnerships between health and education leaders in local areas, raise awareness of mental health concerns and improve referrals to specialist help when needed.
• An Education Staff Wellbeing Charter will be launched this week with a cross-sector commitment to protect and promote the wellbeing of all staff working in schools and colleges. The Department has appointed ‘Timewise’ – the national flexible work training provider to train staff to implement flexible working where possible. Eight flexible working ambassador schools have been appointed to champion best practice and work with other schools locally
• A Suicide Safer Universities framework will be established to ‘promote good practice in the sector, ensuring that university students are supported during their time at university
