GOV.UK Press release: Almost million more pupils get access to mental health support
School mental health support rollout to reach up to 900,000 more pupils this year, covering six in ten children across the country.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:
We inherited a system full of challenges and breaking the vicious cycle of poor mental health, low attendance and bad behaviour among children and young people is the most urgent one facing our schools – and this government is already turning the tide.
Expanding mental health support for young people is one of the single biggest steps we can take to improve children’s life chances, make sure all pupils are getting the very most out of school and deliver excellence for every child.
Taken alongside new intensive support for schools that are struggling, our free breakfast clubs for millions of children and our wider work to drive up school attendance, this government will continue using all available levers to break the destructive link between background and success and deliver on our Plan for Change.
A Step Towards Nurturing Young Minds: Expanding Mental Health Support to a million more pupils in the UK.
This significant government initiative is aimed at bolstering mental health support for young people within the school environment. Driven by a commitment to address inherited challenges and improve children’s life chances, the government is expanding access to Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) with the goal of reaching all pupils by the 2029/30 academic year. This ambitious plan signifies a recognition of the crucial link between mental well-being, school attendance, and overall educational attainment.
The core of this initiative lies in the deployment of specialist MHSTs within schools. These teams, comprised of professionals, offer a spectrum of support, ranging from group sessions designed to build resilience to individualized interventions for managing anxiety. The focus on early identification and intervention is paramount, aiming to tackle mental health issues before they escalate. Crucially, these teams work collaboratively with school staff and NHS services, providing expert advice and easing the burden on educators, allowing them to better support students and keep them engaged in their education.
The rationale behind this investment is underscored by research highlighting the direct correlation between the severity of children’s mental health problems and their likelihood of missing school. By addressing mental health needs proactively, the government anticipates not only a reduction in the crisis of poor mental health among young people but also a tangible improvement in school attendance rates. The immediate impact of the new investment aims to provide six in ten pupils with access to MHSTs by March 2026, with a prioritized rollout based on identified local needs, ensuring the most vulnerable children receive support first.
Complementing this expansion of mental health support is a new program targeting schools facing significant attendance and behaviour challenges. The establishment of attendance and behaviour hubs, anchored by 90 high-performing schools, will directly support 500 schools with the greatest need and offer broader assistance to an additional 4,500 schools nationwide. Furthermore, attendance and behaviour ambassadors will act as liaisons between schools and the government, facilitating the identification of challenges and the development of collaborative solutions.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson emphasizes the urgency of addressing the “vicious cycle of poor mental health, low attendance and bad behaviour,” framing the expansion of mental health support as a pivotal step in improving children’s life chances. Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting echoes this sentiment, highlighting the potential lifelong negative consequences of untreated mental health problems in young people and underscoring the importance of early intervention.
The response from the education sector, as represented by Pepe Di’Iasio of the Association of School and College Leaders, is largely positive. While acknowledging the existing crisis in children’s mental health, the expansion of support is viewed as a “welcome step” towards ensuring all young people can access necessary specialist help. The text also highlights the tangible impact of poor attendance on future prospects, with persistent absence linked to significantly lower earnings in later life.
This government initiative represents a significant investment in the mental well-being of young people. By embedding mental health support within the school system and addressing the interconnected issues of attendance and behaviour, the government aims to create a more supportive and nurturing educational environment. While the text emphasizes the progress being made and the challenges inherited, the focus remains firmly on proactively addressing the mental health needs of students to improve their life chances and ensure they can thrive both academically and personally.
The Team at AMHIE
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References:
Arnot, Dr Megan. “The relationship between mental ill health and absence in students aged 13 to 16: Results from the longitudinal study of young
people – cohort 2” Research report GOV.UK. May 2025
GOV.UK. “Press release: Almost million more pupils get access to mental health support” DfE 16th May 2025 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/almost-million-more-pupils-get-access-to-mental-health-support