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4w ago

Schools Left to Plug Care Gaps, Commissioner Finds, With CAMHS Access the Top Concern

She urges a single digital children’s plan linking education, health, care data for every child.

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Access to child and adolescent mental health services emerged as a top concerns on a table with books and pencils.
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Overview

  • Using new statutory powers, the Children’s Commissioner gathered responses from 18,869 state-funded schools and colleges, with 70% of primaries and 78% of secondaries naming CAMHS access as a leading local worry.
  • The census shows schools often lack accurate data on pupils’ lives, with estimates far below national figures for children with a parent in prison and for those waiting for CAMHS support.
  • Specialist provision is patchy in schools, with mental health counsellors in 42% of primaries and 82% of secondaries and fewer schools reporting access to nurses or other specialist roles, though most want to expand this support.
  • Leaders cite limited local services and tight budgets as major barriers, and say EHCP requirements are hard to meet because funding does not match assessed need and specialist staffing is scarce.
  • The Education Secretary promises mental health support in every school and broader reforms, while a SEND white paper is expected this autumn and school leaders call for significant investment.