To ask the Minister of Education to outline (i) the current provision of mental health support available in schools; (ii) any plans he has to improve services; and (iii) his assessment of the benefits of early intervention on mental health issues affecting school children.

The mental health and wellbeing of children and young people continues to be a high priority for the Department of Education (DE).

In addition to pastoral care provision in schools and services provided by the Education Authority, school counselling is currently available to all post primary aged pupils in post primary schools, Education Otherwise Than At School (EOTAS) Provisions and special schools through the Independent Counselling Service for Schools (ICSS).

The recently published Framework for Children & Young People’s Emotional Health and Wellbeing in Education, and the accompanying Implementation Plan, will enhance the support provided for pupils, with a focus on promotion, prevention and early intervention, through an integrated approach between Education and Health.

This includes a primary school counselling pilot, along with new school nursing services; multi-disciplinary primary school support; enhanced Education Authority support and a new CAMHS Emotional Wellbeing in Schools service. Work is progressing to implement the programmes, some of which have already commenced.

This combination of promotion, prevention and early intervention collectively provide an opportunity to support children and young people before difficulties emerge and/or escalate. This will benefit society as a whole by reducing the impact of mental health problems.

A copy of the Framework document is available at Children & Young People's Emotional Health and Wellbeing in Education Framework (final version) | Department of Education (education-ni.gov.uk), and the Implementation Plan can be accessed at Children & Young People's Emotional Health and Wellbeing in Education Framework Implementation Plan - February 2021 | Department of Education (education-ni.gov.uk)

The Implementation Plan is a “live document” and will be closely monitored and evaluated to ensure it is meeting need.

Finally, I can advise that a further £5m has been made available for another Wellbeing Fund in 2021/22 which will go direct to all schools (nursery, primary, post primary, special), as well as EOTAS and Youth Settings to help address wellbeing pressures arising as a result of COVID-19. By receiving their own allocation, settings will benefit from having the flexibility to use the money to provide health and wellbeing support based on the specific needs of their pupils and/or staff.