Overview

This bill aims to improve the mental health and wellbeing of pupils in schools in England and Wales. It amends existing education legislation to require schools to actively promote pupil mental health, prevent mental ill-health, and provide support for those experiencing mental health difficulties.

Description

The Schools (Mental Health and Wellbeing) Bill amends the Education Act 2002 and the Academies Act 2010. Key changes include:

• Duty to promote mental health: The Secretary of State will be required to issue regulations compelling governing bodies to actively promote pupil mental health, prevent mental ill-health, and support pupils experiencing mental health issues.
• Specific requirements for governing bodies: These regulations will mandate that governing bodies create mental health policies, provide staff training on mental health, and consider pupil mental health in collaborations with other schools, local authorities, and the NHS.
• Curriculum amendment: The curriculum will be amended to explicitly include promoting the mental health and wellbeing of pupils alongside academic achievement.
• Academies inclusion: Academies will be subject to the same requirements as other schools regarding pupil mental health.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't specify direct government spending figures. The cost will likely be indirect, arising from the implementation of new regulations, staff training, and potential increased support services. No specific figures are available in the provided text.

Groups Affected

The bill will affect several groups:

• Schools and Academies: They will have new responsibilities to promote pupil mental health and provide support, requiring changes to policies, staff training, and potentially resource allocation.
• Governing Bodies: They will be directly responsible for implementing the new regulations and policies related to pupil mental health.
• School Staff: They will need to undergo additional training and potentially adapt their practices to support pupil mental health.
• Pupils: They will directly benefit from improved mental health support and a more supportive school environment.
• Local Authorities and NHS: They will be required to work jointly with schools on pupil mental health initiatives.

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