PRESS RELEASE- Record numbers of children with mental health support in schools- but a gap remains for post 16
The government is on track to meet its manifesto promise that every school and college will have access to mental health support teams by the end of 2029.
The Government announced that nearly six million children and young people now have access to mental health support through their school or college, marking the highest level of coverage to date. This represents approximately 800,000 more pupils than last year, with Mental Health Support Teams now working across almost 11,800 schools and colleges in England.
The expansion forms part of the Government's commitment to ensure every child has access to mental health support within education settings by the end of the decade. Nearly 80% of secondary schools are now covered by Mental Health Support Teams, providing early intervention, advice and support to children experiencing emotional or mental health difficulties.
Why Early Intervention Matters
Schools are increasingly recognised as a key environment for identifying and responding to emerging mental health concerns. By embedding support within educational settings, children and young people can access help earlier, reducing the likelihood that issues escalate into crisis.
Government data suggests these support teams are having a positive impact, with many schools reporting improvements in student wellbeing and attendance. The approach reflects a growing understanding that mental health and educational outcomes are closely linked.
For safeguarding professionals, the announcement reinforces a crucial principle: safeguarding is not solely about responding to harm; it is also about promoting wellbeing and preventing vulnerabilities from escalating.
Mental health challenges can significantly affect a child's safety, development, relationships and ability to engage in education. Poor mental wellbeing may increase vulnerability to exploitation, self-harm, neglect, online risks and other safeguarding concerns. As a result, effective safeguarding arrangements increasingly require organisations to consider emotional wellbeing alongside traditional child protection responsibilities.
The expansion of school-based mental health support reflects a broader shift towards preventative safeguarding, where concerns are identified earlier and support is provided before situations reach crisis point.
What Does This Mean for Organisations?
As awareness of children's mental health continues to grow, organisations should consider:
Whether staff are confident in recognising signs of emotional distress and mental health concerns.
How safeguarding and wellbeing processes align.
Whether referral pathways are clear and effective.
How organisations support staff to respond appropriately to children experiencing mental health difficulties.
The importance of multi-agency working when supporting children.
Strong safeguarding practice relies on professionals understanding both risk and resilience, ensuring children receive the right support at the right time.
MH Support Teams Data Release Report Summary
There are 5.8 million pupils and learners who are covered by an MHST in 2025-26 based on schools and college lists returned from MHSTs, which equates to 60% of pupils in schools and learners in FE in England (including 79% of pupils in statefunded secondary schools).
There are 11,800 schools and colleges supported by an MHST in 2025-26 based on schools and college lists returned from MHSTs, which equates to 48% of schools and colleges in England receiving MHST support (including 78% of state-funded secondary schools).
Assuming the average number of schools and colleges and pupils and learners per MHST remains constant, we estimate that, including waves 13 & 14, coverage could increase to 66% of pupils and learners and 53% of schools and colleges by 31 March 2027.
Mental Health Support Teams School and College survey
The data presented is based on responses to an online survey issued to schools and colleges supported by an MHST between 9th May 2025 and 27th June 2025.
The survey was issued to 9,308 schools and colleges. 2,421 responses were received, giving an overall response rate of 26%.
Key findings from the survey are:
92% of respondents ‘strongly’ or ‘somewhat’ agreed that their MHST had provided beneficial mental health and wellbeing support.
87% of respondents ‘strongly’ or ‘somewhat’ agreed that their MHST helped improve the school’s or college’s overall approach to mental health and wellbeing.
83% of respondents ‘strongly’ or ‘somewhat’ agreed that their MHST improved their understanding of how to access external mental health and wellbeing support for their pupils or students.
A Continuing Gap in Support for Post-16 Learners
Whilst the expansion of Mental Health Support Teams is a positive development, the latest figures also highlight an area of ongoing concern. Despite overall coverage reaching record levels, fewer than half of post-16 learners currently have access to support through a Mental Health Support Team.
Recent Department for Education data shows that only 42% of students aged 16 to 18 are studying in settings covered by an MHST, compared with 79% of secondary school pupils and 56% of primary school pupils. This leaves a significant proportion of older young people without direct access to the same level of school or college-based mental health support available to younger age groups.
This is particularly important from a safeguarding perspective. Adolescence and early adulthood can be periods of heightened vulnerability, with young people navigating educational transitions, employment pressures, relationships, online harms, exploitation risks and increasing independence. Mental health difficulties emerging during this stage can have a profound impact on wellbeing, engagement in education and overall life outcomes.
For organisations working with young people, these figures reinforce the importance of ensuring that safeguarding and wellbeing support extends beyond statutory school-age children. Colleges, training providers, youth organisations and employers supporting apprentices and young workers all have a role to play in recognising risk, promoting wellbeing and ensuring appropriate support pathways are available.
Whilst progress is clearly being made, achieving truly equitable access to mental health support will require continued focus on those post-16 settings where gaps in provision remain.
RLB Safeguarding's Perspective
At RLB Safeguarding, we recognise that mental health and safeguarding are intrinsically linked.
While the expansion of mental health support in schools is a positive step, the wider challenge remains ensuring that professionals across all sectors have the knowledge, confidence and resources to identify concerns early and respond effectively. As safeguarding continues to evolve, supporting children and young people’s mental wellbeing will remain a vital part of protecting them from harm and helping them achieve positive outcomes.
As safeguarding professionals, we must ensure that support for young people does not diminish at a stage of life when many are facing significant transitions and increasing risks.
Mental Health Support Teams Data Release Report
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