School aid for mental health problems 'inadequate'
Friday, 6 October 2006
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Children with mental health problems do not get enough help in schools, according to a report published today.
The lack of adequate support affects the well-being and school work of other pupils in the class, the study for the teachers' union NASUWT found.
The report said teachers often struggled to identify pupils with mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and social withdrawal.
The study came amid concern over rising numbers of children with a range of mental health issues. The Government has suggested that schools could play a key role in providing mental health services, the union said.
The study, conducted by the research department at Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust in London, said: "Teachers are concerned about the impact arising from the inadequate support of pupils with mental health needs.
"There are repercussions for the child who needs the special provision.
"Teachers believe they cannot meet the child's needs, provide them with equal opportunity, help them achieve their potential, or help them before their problems become so serious that they will impact on the rest of their lives."
The union's report warns that this situation also has "a powerful and detrimental impact on teachers".
It says: "It can make their job very difficult, lower their 'job satisfaction' and more importantly is likely to affect their own psychological well-being.
"In addition, teachers argue that inadequate support negatively affects other children whose education and mental or physical well-being may suffer as a result of that particular pupil's behaviour."
The report recommended more training for teachers in how to handle pupils with mental health problems.
A spokesman for the Department for Education and Skills said: "We have already delivered specialist training to staff who have particular responsibilities for children with behavioural, emotional or social difficulties.
"We are also looking to develop targeted support for more schools to help them identify and tackle behavioural problems due to mental health, including referral to more specialist help.
"We are also working with the Department of Health to expand CAMHS (Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services) so that more specialist help and advice is available where it is needed."
