Head Teachers Calling 999 Over Mental Health.
- Abi Hamlin
- Nov 9, 2015
- 3 min read
Schools are making calls to emergency services, to get treatment for students who are suffering from mental health problems because of service shortages, head teachers say.
They are being forced to call ambulances or the police in order to get pupils to A&E for the help they need. Some schools are even being asked to pay for services that should be provided by the NHS or social services, says the ASCL heads’ union.
The government has said it had ring-fenced £1.4bn for children’s mental health. But this seems to be failing as the Education Select Committee, teachers, heads and bodies representing counsellors and therapists, have complained of “significant problems” obtaining support for pupils’ mental health.
Due to budget cuts local mental health services are no longer able to offer early support.
The committee, looking into the wellbeing and mental health of children in care were told: "It often takes a considerable amount of time to arrange meetings and access support, and in some instances, it may be difficult to secure support."
The cuts were affecting all children and young people, not just children in care who tended to face more mental health issues, it was told.
The Association of School and College Leaders, which represents thousands of secondary school head teachers, said: "Even in situations where a child needs immediate support (due to being a risk to themselves or others) Camhs (child adolescent and mental health services) may not be available.
"This means that schools and colleges are sometimes forced to either call the police or to send the child or young person to A&E to ensure they are seen by a properly trained mental health worker.
"There needs to be a much better system in place that can provide immediate support."
Schools are supposed to be able to report a case of a child with mental health problems to a trained specialist who can provide the correct care and support, ASCL told the committee, instead of applying “emotional first aid”.
The Alliance for Children in Care and Careleavers, said: "Looked-after children should have the right to the support they need to promote good emotional wellbeing at the earliest opportunity, rather than waiting for a crisis before they can access support."
Schools have also reported they are having to pay for health staff to attend meetings or perform assessments. The National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women Teachers told the committee that schools were being asked to pay for NHS staff and educational psychologists to attend meetings to determine and assess a child’s special educational needs.
A government spokesman said mental health was a priority, “which is why we are delivering the greatest investment in young people’s mental health services to the tune of £1.4bn over the next five years.
"This will mean we can provide better care sooner, so people aren't forced to contact the emergency services for the support they need.
"Alongside this we have just launched the largest ever campaign aimed at tackling the stigma surrounding mental health for young people and published guidance to schools on how to support those with mental health needs linked to behaviour and teach about mental health.
"Schools can play a key role in supporting young people but teachers are not mental health professionals and should be able to draw on support from specialist services,” said the spokesmen.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-34733952
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