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

Our key policy recommendation

Our mission is to improve children’s mental health, so that no child faces mental health issues alone. We believe that every child deserves to have:

• easy access to expert mental health support that prevents issues from getting worse
• an inclusive school environment that understands and nurtures wellbeing
• a voice in the educational and mental health support they receive, and support that helps them to live well and thrive
• a loving, safe and supportive home life that builds positive mental health.

Easy access to expert mental health support that prevents issues from getting worse

To achieve this, there needs to be:

• government investment in mental health programmes and services delivering early intervention, prevention, and providing support further ‘upstream’
• collaborative approaches to commissioning children and young people’s mental health services -  involving local schools, voluntary and community organisations, local government and Integrated Care Boards
• voluntary and community sector involvement in the design and delivery of mental health services, utilising their skills, experience and workforce capabilities
• mental health support in every school, accessible to every pupil, embedded through a school-based counsellor or mental health practitioner.

An inclusive school environment that understands and nurtures wellbeing

This means we need to see:

• guidance on a whole-school approach to supporting pupil wellbeing followed by every school, with schools being given the necessary funding and resources to do this
• school staff equipped with knowledge and understanding of mental health and wellbeing relevant to their roles – with modules embedded from initial teacher training, through the career framework, and up to senior leadership
• a school ethos that commits to uplifting wellbeing, building resilience and the emotional strength of school populations including staff and pupils. This should form a key part of school accountability and oversight metrics
• schools should routinely collect data on pupil wellbeing and work with the NHS to more effectively utilise this information locally and nationally to gain a clearer understanding of mental health needs. 

A voice in the educational and mental health support they receive, and support that helps them to live well and thrive

We can get there when:

• children who need more specialist mental health support can receive it at the point of need
• the Government commits to long-term, sustainable investment in Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services including CAMHS
• schools actively involve young people with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities and their families in shaping and delivering Education, Health and Care plans (EHCPs)
• alternative provision is a last resort for pupils, who receive the mental health support they need to enable them to return to a mainstream education setting.  

A loving, safe and supportive home life that builds positive mental health

Families can be supported by:

• the Government addressing the risk factors of poor mental health through investment in social welfare, family and community services
• parents and carers being given appropriate support to build positive relationships with children, through government investment in childcare provision, early years services, community hubs and mental health services
• schools more effectively working in partnership with families
• having comprehensive pathways of support for looked after or care-experienced young people, bringing together joined-up services who provide areas of support, e.g. education, employment and training, social work and mental health.

Download our policy recommendations (PDF, 166KB)

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