Overview

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

Description

This bill introduces a legal duty for governing bodies of state-funded schools in England to arrange for access to either an education mental health practitioner or a school counsellor. An education mental health practitioner is defined as someone with a relevant graduate or postgraduate qualification from an NHS England-commissioned course. For smaller schools (under 100 pupils), collaborative provision with other schools is permitted. The Secretary of State is responsible for providing financial support to schools to meet this new obligation.

Government Spending

The bill will require government spending to support the provision of mental health professionals in schools. While specific figures are not included in the bill itself, it mandates that any expenditure incurred by the Secretary of State, the Treasury, or a government department to implement the act, plus any increased sums payable under other acts as a result of this bill, will be paid from money provided by Parliament.

Groups Affected

This bill primarily affects:
• **Schools in England:** They will be required to provide access to mental health professionals, potentially incurring costs unless fully funded.
• **Pupils in England:** They will benefit from increased access to mental health support within their schools.
• **Mental health professionals:** Increased demand for these professionals is expected, leading to potential employment opportunities.
• **The UK Government:** Will be responsible for funding the initiative, incurring significant expenditure.

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