Policy and public affairs

We use evidence and experience from our work to inform public policy across the UK.

Through working directly with children and young people in the school environment, Place2Be is able to inform public policy across England, Wales and Scotland.

We also seek opportunities to engage politicians with our work to raise awareness of the importance of supporting wellbeing within the school community and Place2Be’s lead role in this field.

Our policy recommendations

We have developed some policy recommendations based on our experience working with schools across the UK for almost 30 years.

Informing and influencing policy

We influence policy by submitting evidence or responses to inquiries and consultations. Here are some of the major responses we have produced.

Read our response to the 2017 Green Paper

Read our response to the Health and Social Care Select Committee Inquiry

Read our response to the Department for Education’s call for evidence on behaviour

Read our response to the government consultation on mental health and wellbeing

Engaging politicians in our work

We seek to engage politicians with our work in schools.

As part of Children’s Mental Health Week 2022, Place2Be representatives held events in the Palace of Westminster and the Scottish Parliament:

In Westminster, over 40 MPs met Place2Be representatives and headteachers to learn more about our work within the school community; guests included the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Minister for Children and Families, and the Shadow Ministers for Mental Health and Children.
In Holyrood, 50 MSPs dropped by our exhibition stand in the Garden Lobby to learn more about our services and to show their support. Attendees included Ministers Maree Todd and Clare Haughey.
Parliamentarians showed their support by tweeting about the week.

It is important to support young people with their mental health - to ensure they grow to be healthy adults. It is better for all to support a young person with mental health issues than to allow their mental health to deteriorate. Early intervention is essential and crucial. MP at Place2Be's Parliamentary event during Children's Mental Health Week 2022

Working in partnership

Place2Be works in partnership with other organisations that want to improve children’s and young people's mental health.

Find out more about our partnerships

Contact us

For more information, please get in touch with our press team by emailing press@place2be.org.uk.

News & blogs

Photo of Big Ben and Houses of Parliament, with a cloudy sky

Mental health leaders call for continued local funding for suicide prevention

10 October 2023

The UK's leading mental health organisations are calling for the renewal of local suicide prevention funding.

young person sat in Place2Be therapy room

Place2Be responds to new Scottish Government mental health strategy

21 July 2023

We respond to the Scottish Government’s new Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Scotland.

school pupil sitting in at classroom desk

Place2Be gives evidence to a new inquiry into school absences

23 June 2023

Place2Be’s Head of Evaluation joined a roundtable on persistent absence as part of the Education Select Committee’s inquiry.