Mental health support boost for school kids

Millions of pounds are to be spent on boosting mental health support in schools to help pupils recover from the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, it has been announced.

The Government has pledged more than £17m towards upgrading mental health support in education as part of Mental Health Awareness Week.

Funding will be used to to train thousands of senior mental health leads in schools across Englandandtoprovidetraining for education staff to deal with children experiencing pressures brought on by the pandemic.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said: "I know how difficult the pandemic has been for many children and young people's mentalhealthandwellbeing, and the next few months will becrucialinsupportingtheir recovery.

"Getting back into the classroom was a vital step in this process but success in school and college goes beyond an excellent education - as parents we want our children to feel settled, calm and happy while they learn.”

The Department for Educationhasalsopledgedto fund an adapted Link programme, designed to improve partnerships between health and education leaders in local areas.

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said: "We're pleased to see the Government announcing this investment in mental health supportbut,havetosay,have to say that this comes after years of Government underfunding of schools and colleges which has taken its toll on their capacity to provide pastoral support.”