Mental health support in school ‘will make huge difference to Neets crisis’
Bridget Phillipson said mental health support in schools will make a “huge difference” to tackling the crisis of young people neither working nor learning, as almost half of all schools and colleges in England now have access to mental health support teams.
More than a million young people are not in employment, education or training, known as Neets.
Former Labour health secretary Alan Milburn warned the crisis has “no easy solutions” as he published a report last month, amid fears of a lost generation without urgent change.
Ms Phillipson said increasing young people’s access to mental health support is “critical” to reducing the number of Neets.
It comes as the Department for Education (DfE) announced mental health support teams (MHSTs) now work in almost 11,800 schools and colleges, which have a total pupil population of nearly six million children.
The DfE said around 800,000 more pupils can now get support from these teams compared to last year.
During a visit to The Coopers Company and Coborn School in Upminster, east London, the Education Secretary told the Press Association: “Addressing barriers like mental health is a critical part of how we reduce the number of young people who are not in education, employment, or training, and Alan Milburn’s report set that out in very stark terms.
“So the fact that 800,000 more young people are benefiting from mental health support teams will make a huge difference, because it means they’re getting the support earlier and they’re supported with next steps.”
She said she was confident that the Government will meet its manifesto commitment of ensuring every school and college has access to mental health support by the end of 2029.
On the causes behind pupils suffering with their mental health, Ms Phillipson pointed to the “significant disruption” they experienced during the pandemic, children growing up in poverty and the decline in services like youth work that young people would have depended on a decade ago.
She also highlighted time spent on social media, adding: “It’s clear that greater action is needed and through the consultation we’ve heard from parents, campaigners, young people themselves about what needs to change and the Prime Minister will set out the further steps that we’re taking.
“We will take further action.”
There is widespread expectation that Sir Keir Starmer will announce a ban on children under-16 being able to access harmful social media sites in the coming days.
The Education Secretary was told during her visit that the regular presence of MHSTs at the school has had a big impact on staff as well as students.
Published: by Radio NewsHub