The Children's Wellbeing Bill must extend to colleges, says AoC

In response to the Education Policy Institute (EPI) report on non-specialist mental health support for young people, Jen Hope, Area Director and Senior Policy Lead Mental Health, Association of Colleges, said: “It’s sadly not surprising to read the new data from the NHS which shows rising cases of young people attending A&E or being admitted to hospital for mental health reasons. This echoes our own research in which almost half of English colleges reported an average of up to 10 mental health-related A&E referrals within the previous year. It’s also frustrating to know that the range of and access to mental health services varies so greatly across the country, as is also mirrored in AoC research. Students face a “postcode lottery” when accessing local plans and services, particularly in the most deprived areas of England.

“Colleges serve 1.6 million students and are on the front line of mental health delivery, providing vital support for young people as they transition out of school, into further education and then on to the world of work or higher education. The incoming Children’s Wellbeing Bill must therefore extend to colleges; legislation that truly encompasses everyone under 25 must include and reflect the needs of young people in FE, so we can build on the opportunities colleges provide as anchor institutions in their communities.

"The alignment of education, health and employment strategies and systems, including the collection and sharing of data, should be inclusive of all students to ensure all are supported throughout their educational journeys and beyond.”