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West of England headlines: Travellers and rough sleepers

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Sunday, October 19th 2025 at 4:19 GMT by BBC
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In a comprehensive announcement that has already dominated headlines across the UK, the government unveiled a sweeping new strategy aimed at tackling the rising tide of mental‑health problems among young people in schools. The policy, which was formally introduced in a televised briefing by the Education Secretary, sets out a multi‑pronged approach that blends increased funding, structural changes in school provision, and tighter regulatory oversight. Its launch comes against a backdrop of soaring rates of depression, anxiety and self‑harm reported in the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) data, which shows that one in four pupils are experiencing significant mental‑health difficulties.

Key components of the plan

1. Funding boost – The government has earmarked £150 million over the next five years to support the recruitment of 5,000 additional school‑based mental‑health professionals, including counselors, psychologists and occupational therapists. These workers will be embedded in every state‑funded secondary school across England, with a target of one practitioner per 300 pupils by 2028. The money will also be used to refurbish existing staff houses, expand online support platforms, and subsidise mental‑health‑related curriculum resources.

2. Curriculum reform – A new “mental‑health literacy” module will be integrated into the existing health and social care curriculum from Year 7. The module, which will cover topics such as emotional regulation, coping strategies, stigma, and help‑seeking behaviours, is designed to equip pupils with the knowledge and skills they need to manage their own well‑being and support peers. Teachers will receive a two‑day professional‑development course before they can deliver the content.

3. School‑wide policies – Every school will now be required to develop a comprehensive mental‑health strategy that details how it will identify, support and monitor pupils at risk. The strategy must outline clear referral pathways to local health services, set measurable outcomes, and establish a mental‑health advisory board that includes parents, teachers and external specialists. Schools failing to meet the new standards will face review by the Department for Education.

4. Partnerships with external organisations – The plan will foster stronger links between schools and community organisations such as the National Health Service (NHS), charities like Mind and Young Minds, and local authorities. Joint initiatives, such as school‑based counseling services and community‑run after‑school clubs, will be piloted in high‑need areas.

5. Data and evaluation – The government will launch an independent evaluation to monitor the plan’s impact. This will involve collecting anonymised data on attendance, academic performance, and self‑reported well‑being from a representative sample of schools across England. The findings will inform future iterations of the policy and will be published annually.

Government’s rationale and supporting evidence

The Education Secretary justified the policy by citing the ONS’s report, which noted that the prevalence of mental‑health issues among pupils aged 11–15 rose from 24 % in 2015 to 31 % in 2023. She referenced international studies showing that early intervention in schools can reduce long‑term costs to the NHS and improve educational outcomes. “If we fail to act now, we risk a generation of young people whose potential is stunted by untreated mental‑health conditions,” she said.

In addition, the policy was framed within the government’s broader “Mental Health Strategy 2030,” which seeks to reduce the national suicide rate by 25 % and increase the proportion of adults receiving mental‑health support. The new school‑based initiative is described as the “first step” in a chain of interventions that will involve primary care, secondary care and community services.

Reactions from stakeholders

The response from the education and mental‑health communities has been largely positive, though some concerns have emerged.

• School leaders – Many principals welcomed the additional funding and clearer guidelines. “This is a chance to finally put mental health at the centre of our schools,” said a spokesperson for the National Association of Head Teachers. However, some worry that the added responsibilities may overwhelm already stretched staff. “We’ll need more training and time to implement these changes effectively,” cautioned a head teacher from a London secondary school.

• Parents – Parent advocacy groups, such as the Parents’ Voice, lauded the government’s acknowledgment of the issue but urged that resources be distributed equitably. “We must ensure that schools in deprived areas receive the same level of support as those in affluent neighbourhoods,” a campaign leader said. Some parents also raised concerns about data privacy, especially regarding the collection of mental‑health information from pupils.

• Mental‑health professionals – Professionals at Mind and the Royal College of Psychiatrists welcomed the investment but highlighted a looming workforce shortage. “Recruiting 5,000 new practitioners is a massive undertaking,” noted a senior psychologist. “We’ll need to accelerate training and improve retention rates to meet the demand.”

• Political opposition – Opposition parties expressed skepticism about the plan’s effectiveness and called for independent oversight. A Member of Parliament from the opposition Labour Party stated that while the policy is well‑intentioned, it could become “bureaucratically burdensome” without adequate monitoring.

International comparisons

The BBC article also drew comparisons with approaches taken in other countries. In Canada, the 2019 “Mental Health for Youth” initiative, which embedded psychologists in 70 % of high schools, reported a 15 % reduction in self‑reported anxiety among participants. In Australia, a similar strategy that combined mental‑health education with school‑based services has been linked to improved attendance and academic performance. The UK government has cited these models as evidence that a proactive, school‑based response can yield measurable benefits.

Next steps

Following the briefing, the Department for Education has announced that it will launch a consultation phase over the next six weeks. Schools will be invited to provide feedback on the draft implementation guidelines, and there will be a call for proposals for pilot projects in high‑need areas. The first cohort of 5,000 mental‑health professionals is expected to begin placement in the autumn of 2025, and the first school‑based mental‑health strategy is slated to be rolled out in the following academic year.

In summary, the government’s newly announced mental‑health strategy for schools represents a significant policy shift aimed at addressing the escalating mental‑health crisis among young people. By combining substantial funding, curriculum reform, school‑wide policy requirements, and partnerships with external agencies, the initiative seeks to embed mental‑health support into the fabric of the education system. While stakeholders largely view the move as a necessary and timely intervention, the success of the policy will ultimately hinge on its implementation, the availability of qualified professionals, and the extent to which schools can adapt to the new demands.