Funding clarity urged over mental health provision in schools

Ministers have committed £1.25 billion to tackling the mental health crisis during this Parliament but how this funding is to be allocated and whether schools will receive any additional support is unclear.

The issue was raised by James Bowen, director of middle leadership union NAHT Edge, during an address at the Transforming Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services conference run by Inside Government last week.

Mr Bowen said: “On average three children in every classroom have a diagnosable mental health issue, and one in five children will experience a mental health difficulty at least once in their first 11 years.

“We welcome the government’s commitment to allocate an extra £1.25 billion over the course of this Parliament to supporting children’s mental health. However, we feel there needs to be greater clarity in terms of how this money should be spent and the role schools should play in the delivery of such support.”