Mental health

New ‘extracurricular handbook’ to help schools tackle mental health

But government rejects MPs' calls for all students to undergo a mental health assessment

But government rejects MPs' calls for all students to undergo a mental health assessment

The DfE revealed further details of its senior mental health lead training plans.

Ministers will publish a handbook for schools on how to use extracurricular activities to support pupil’s wellbeing, after rejecting calls for all students to undergo a mental health assessment.

Cross-party MPs on the education select committee had urged government to make sure all catch-up plans included “specific roles for activities that focus on mental health and wellbeing”.

In its response to the committee, the Department for Education said it will publish a handbook for schools on enrichment and extracurricular activities.

It will work with schools and multi-academy trusts “with broad enrichment and extracurricular offers” to create the document, which will emphasise how “provision can be used to support pupil’s mental wellbeing”.

The committee made the suggestion in their catch-up report published in March, which found pupils’ wellbeing have been “one of the greatest challenges” as schools returned during the pandemic.

It also called for all pupils to undergo a mental health and wellbeing assessment “to understand the scale of the problem”.

The government say they do not believe it is “practical, nor necessary” for every child to have a clinical assessment of their mental health and wellbeing.

DfE also said it is reviewing Teaching Online Safety in Schools guidance, first published in 2019, to ensure it remains up to date. The non-statutory guidance will be published in autumn.

But the committee says their warnings about persistent and severe absence have not been “full addressed”. They say the government’s response does not yet commit to a “targeted support plan”.

Robert Halfon, committee chair, said the DfE have made some “very welcome” interventions but “it must ensure that targeted support is provided to the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children to ensure that every child has equitable access to climb the ladder of opportunity and develop to reach their full potential.”

mental health
Halfon

A Schools Week investigation this year found suicidal children were being turned away from overstretched mental health services with schools instead told to “keep them safe”.

The committee also welcomed the government cancelling National Tutoring Programme provider Randstad’s contract, as revealed by Schools Week.

Latest education roles from

Chief Education Officer (Deputy CEO)

Chief Education Officer (Deputy CEO)

Romero Catholic Academy Trust

Director of Academy Finance and Operations

Director of Academy Finance and Operations

Ormiston Academies Trust

Principal & Chief Executive

Principal & Chief Executive

Truro & Penwith College

Group Director of Marketing, Communications & External Engagement

Group Director of Marketing, Communications & External Engagement

London & South East Education Group

Sponsored posts

Sponsored post

AI Safety: From DfE Guidance to Classroom Confidence

Darren Coxon, edtech consultant and AI education specialist, working with The National College, explores the DfE’s expectations for AI...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

How accurate spend information is helping schools identify savings

One the biggest issues schools face when it comes to saving money on everyday purchases is a lack of...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Building Character, Increasing Engagement and Growing Leaders: A Whole School Approach

Research increasingly shows that character education is just as important as academic achievement in shaping pupils’ long-term success. Studies...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Educators launch national AI framework to guide schools and colleges

More than 250 schools and colleges across the UK have already enrolled in AiEd Certified, a new certification framework...

SWAdvertorial

More from this theme

Mental health

Where are we on Labour’s mental health promises?

Is the government delivering on its pledges? Schools Week takes a look...

Lydia Chantler-Hicks
Mental health

Rise of the wellbeing sick day: Sign of a growing problem or healthier approach?

New data shows staff 'wellbeing' absences are rising, as a key report warned of 'disturbingly high' stress, anxiety and...

Freddie Whittaker
Mental health

Study: Access to school counselling would ‘pay for itself’ in 10 years

Counselling could help 'missing middle' of children who don't meet mental health treatment thresholds, Public First study says

Samantha Booth
Mental health

‘Stark gap’ between teacher and leader wellbeing

Survey finds teachers twice as likely as leaders to report feeling 'physically and mentally' unwell

Freddie Whittaker

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *