ASCL comment on mental health support for schools and colleges

Responding to new data from the Department for Education showing the delivery of mental health support in schools and colleges, Margaret Mulholland, SEND and Inclusion Specialist at the Association of School and College Leaders, said:

“It's just not acceptable that in 2025, eight years after the initiative was first proposed, half of all pupils will still be without access to mental health support teams. Access varies widely across the country, meaning the level of support available is still something of a postcode lottery, while waiting times for children and young people's mental health services remain worryingly long.

“There needs to be significant investment in tackling the mental health crisis among children and young people, including the rollout of mental health support teams to all schools and colleges as soon as possible. This glacial progress, when set against the increasing demand for support and growing unmet needs, should be no cause for celebration.”