Commenting on the publication by the Children’s
Commissioner for England of the third annual children’s mental
health briefing, Dr Mary
Bousted,Joint General Secretary of the
National Education Union, said:
“The findings of this report are further evidence of the
chronic underfunding of children’s mental health services and the
lack of available support for so many children and young people
who need it.
“We agree with the Children’s Commissioner’s analysis that
the Government plans are not ambitious enough to ensure that we
have a mental health system that meets the needs of all
children. The Green Paper proposals - ‘Transforming
Children and Young People’s mental health Provision’ - still
leaves many children and young people without the necessary
provision and does not address the cuts to schools that have led
to a decimation of the pastoral support schools should provide,
including onsite counsellors, making it increasingly difficult to
provide personalised support.
“There is a clear need to end the postcode lottery of
provision and ensure there is a comprehensive and joined up
approach to mental health support in every area. Schools
have a role to play and must be part of the strategy to address
the current lack of both specialist and low-level mental health
services for children and young people.
“For schools to provide the best possible support for
children and young people experiencing
low level mental health problems, there needs to be
sufficient funding and resources in place both within and outside
the school.”
