Overview

This bill mandates that every state-funded school in England has access to a qualified mental health professional, either an education mental health practitioner or a school counsellor. The government will provide financial assistance to schools to meet this requirement.

Description

The bill introduces a duty for governing bodies of state-funded schools in England to arrange for access to an education mental health practitioner or school counsellor. "State-funded school" includes academies, community, foundation, and voluntary schools. An "education mental health practitioner" is defined as someone with a relevant graduate or postgraduate qualification from a course commissioned by NHS England. For smaller schools (100 pupils or less), collaborative provision with other schools is permitted. The Secretary of State is responsible for providing financial assistance to facilitate this. The bill applies to England and Wales and comes into force upon passage.

Government Spending

The bill requires the government to fund the provision of mental health professionals in schools. The exact cost is not specified in the bill but will be met from money provided by Parliament. This will cover expenditure incurred by the Secretary of State, the Treasury, or government departments, and any increase in sums payable under other Acts attributable to this Act.

Groups Affected

• State-funded Schools in England: These schools will be required to provide access to mental health professionals, potentially impacting their budgets and staffing arrangements.
• Pupils in State-funded Schools in England: These pupils will benefit from increased access to mental health support within their schools.
• Mental Health Professionals: Increased demand for mental health professionals specializing in working with children and adolescents in schools.
• The Secretary of State and Government Departments: Responsible for funding and overseeing the implementation of the bill.

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