ATL comment on colleges referring students with mental health issues to A&E

Commenting on research by the Association of Colleges (AoC), Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), said:

“The findings in AoC’s research is deeply disturbing, although unsurprising. Young people are under increasing pressure and the mental health of those entering FE colleges will not have been helped by narrowing the school curriculum and by forcing them to jump through the hoops of endless testing. 

“Budget cuts, restructures and the Area Reviews have also made it harder for young people to access the provision they need at college. FE teachers, lecturers and support staff want to do everything they can to help their students with mental health problems, and they have considerable expertise in this area. However, as the AoC’s research shows, funding cuts to the sector by this and the last Government, means that the support simply cannot be provided. Young people are therefore dealt a double blow with increasing mental health problems along with the support for these issues dwindling.”