Schools: Mental Health Services
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, A) what criteria are being used to prioritise the rollout of Mental Health Support Teams to schools and colleges; and B) what steps her Department is taking to ensure access for pupils in areas of highest need.
Answered by Olivia Bailey
This government is committed to expanding mental health support teams (MHSTs) to all schools and colleges by 2029, ensuring every child can access early support. As of March 2025, 52% of pupils (including around 70% in secondary schools) had access. This is projected to reach around 60% nationally by the end of 2025/26.
An independent evaluation of MHSTs is underway, reporting in 2027, including potential impacts on attendance and behaviour. In the 2024 survey of participating settings almost half reported a positive impact on attendance.
Rollout is delivered with the NHS through Integrated Care Systems, which prioritise areas based on need, disadvantage and inequalities, including deprivation, prevalence of need and absence.
MHSTs complement existing provision. All pupils can access in-school pastoral support, high needs provision, and NHS services where needed. The department also provides guidance and resources to support mental health, attendance and behaviour.
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