A TAMESIDE MP has come out in support of plans to ensure almost one million more young people will have access to mental health support in school this year.
Under the Government’s £49 million plans, the rollout means six in 10 pupils will have access to a mental health support team by March 2026.
According to the Labour party which pledged the intervention in its manifesto, all pupils will have access to mental health support in school by the end of the parliament in 2029/30.
It’s been welcomed by Andrew Gwynne, who now sits as an Independent MP for the Denton and Gorton constituency after being sacked as a health minister and suspended by Labour in February following the revelation of comments made in the Trigger Me Timbers WhatsApp group.
“Poor mental health is something that is raised with me time and again by young people and parents alike in Gorton and Denton,” he said.
“That’s why I’m so proud that, through our Plan for Change, this Labour Government is making good on our promises and expanding access to vital mental health support.
“Young people growing up in Gorton and Denton deserve the best start in life – this Labour Government is backing them every step of the way.”
Put forward by the Department of Education, led by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and supported by Health Secretary Wes Streeting, the plans aim to tackle the root causes of poor attendance and behaviour.
A new programme has been unveiled to provide “intensive support” for 500 schools with “significant challenges” through new attendance and behaviour hubs.
In terms of mental health, support teams will be sent to schools made up of specialists who offer a range of help to identify and tackle issues early on, from group sessions to one-to-ones.
According to the Government, specialists will work directly with school and college staff and NHS services to provide professional advice. This will aim to ease the pressure on school staff and allow them to help young people get the right support and stay in education.
More widely, the Government says it is recruiting an additional 8,500 mental health workers across children and adult mental health services to reduce delays and provide faster treatment.
The rollout will be prioritised “based on NHS identification of local need and reaching the most vulnerable children first,” they added.