Secondary Schools: Counselling Services

Debate between Baroness Hollins and Lord Nash

Monday 20th February 2017 Lords Chamber

[Lord Nash]

A number of support systems and toolkits are available in the department. Any school that uses our toolkits, particularly following the new fairer formula we are bringing in, should be able to manage on their budgets.

[Baroness Hollins (CB)]

My Lords, are there any plans for the CQC and Ofsted to work together to inspect how well schools are looking after the mental health and well-being of their children?

[Lord Nash]

The noble Baroness makes a good point. We certainly will involve the CQC in looking at the accountability of children and young people’s mental health services. We are considering whether to involve Ofsted.

Schools: Health and Well-being

Debate between Baroness Hollins and Lord Nash

Monday 15th June 2015 Lords Chamber

[Lord Nash]

The noble Baroness raises an extremely important point. I shall discuss this issue with the Department of Health and ensure that she receives a full written reply.

[Baroness Hollins (CB)]

Does the Minister agree that it is time for a ban on the marketing of unhealthy food and drink to children and young people?

[Lord Nash]

I am not sure that I would go that far, frankly. The best way is to educate children in school as to what is healthy food and allow them to make those choices for themselves. We are making strong movements in this regard.

Schools: Emergency Life Support Skills

Debate between Baroness Hollins and Lord Nash

Monday 3rd February 2014 Lords Chamber

[Lord Nash]

As the noble Lord will know, this Government believe as a matter of policy that prescription from the centre has not worked. The evidence of the performance of our school system over the past 15 years speaks for itself. However, we believe, as we have debated many times in this House, that PSHE and programmes such as first aid are incredibly important, and we are sending out messages as far as we can. We have a new PSHE review and we are engaging with bodies such as the PSHE Association to get the message out to all schools that this kind of programme is very important.

[Baroness Hollins (CB)]

What impact assessment has been made of the effect of relying on voluntary organisations such as the Boys’ Brigade, the Scouts or St John Ambulance to teach vital emergency life-saving skills, instead of including this on a national curriculum? I agree with my noble friend that the biology course could teach these highly relevant practical skills.

[Lord Nash]

I am not aware of any impact assessments. If I hear of any I will send them to the noble Baroness. The view of the Government is that, as with PSHE, rather than have prescriptive detail—in words on a piece of paper—of what should be taught, it is much better to encourage schools to engage with expert organisations, such as the ones to which the noble Baroness referred. They are the professionals: they are focused on a particular area and can constantly update their material.