£350,000 boost for city’s school mental health services

Mental health services for schools in Brighton & Hove are getting an extra investment of more than £350,000.

The funding will pay for a new mental health support team. This will mean more and better services on top of all the work already happening in schools.

The seven new staff are being recruited into the city’s inclusion support service. 

The team will launch its service during the autumn term, focusing on schools in areas of deprivation.

The funding has been secured jointly by the council and the local NHS.

The chair of the council’s children, young people and skills committee, Councillor Nick Childs, said:

“Our inclusion support service and public health team are already doing excellent work in schools to address mental health issues. 

“This new team will mean even more children will benefit.

“I believe our schools are at the forefront nationally in terms of using a ‘whole-school approach’ to address mental health problems.

“It’s not just about 1-1 work with children, and making sure teachers get the training they need to support children who are having a difficult time.

“Our schools are also looking at how exercise, the arts and good diet can improve children’s mental health. 

“We believe the new team’s work will help more children to fulfil their potential, reduce exclusions and improve attendance.”

An update report (scroll down to pages 31-38) on mental health services for children and young people, including the new mental health support team, will be considered by the council's children, young people and skills committee on September 16.