Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament of Bosworth, welcomes news that the Government’s target for 35% of pupils to be supported by mental health teams has been achieved ahead of schedule.
Dr Evans was a member of the influential Health and Social Care Committee, which carries out enquiries into health concerns of the nation. During his almost three years on the Committee, the group reported into child mental health and SEND provision. One key recommendation was the provision of mental health teams in school settings.
Following up on the Health Select Committee report, and in a response to a question raised by Evans, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Steve Barclay, confirmed that the Government had met its target coverage of 35% of students by the end of 2023 over 7 months early.
This means over 3 million children and young people have access to Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) in schools.
The GP turned MP also raised the issue of Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision in Leicestershire, which he has been calling on Government to improve as “day in and day out we hear cases, across Leicestershire, where parents have to struggle and fight to get SEND support.”
In response to Dr Evans’ question, the Health Secretary confirmed that the Government plans to increase the number of operational mental health support teams to 500 by spring next year.
MHSTs have three core functions: to deliver evidence-based interventions for mild-to-moderate mental health issues, support the senior mental health lead (where established), and give timely advise to staff to help children and young people to get the right support and stay in education
There are currently eight MHSTs in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, with a total of 92 across the Midlands.
Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament for Bosworth, asked “Provision for special educational needs and child and adolescent mental health services is one of the biggest issues in my inbox in Leicestershire, particularly in respect of delays in assessment and diagnosis.
“One of the Government’s plans was to introduce school mental health support teams. The Health and Social Care Committee heard that the aim was that 35% of pupils should be covered by 2023. May we have an update on progress and on when we are likely to reach 100%?”
Steve Barclay, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, replied “The Member for Bosworth makes an important point, and I am happy to update the House, as we have already achieved 35% coverage.
“By the end of [April], we expect to have 399 operational mental health support teams, covering 3 million children and young people. We plan to go further, with over 500 such teams by spring 2024.”
