Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on mental health support for people in student accommodation.

Protecting the mental health of students continues to be a priority for this government. These are difficult times and it is important that students can still access the mental health support that they need. We recognise that many students are facing additional mental health challenges due to the disruption and uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) has overall policy responsibility for young people’s mental health. We continue to work closely with them to take steps to develop mental health and wellbeing support. I work closely with my hon. Friend, the Minister of State for Mental Health, Suicide Prevention and Patient Safety, on student mental health, and officials at the department continue to work with DHSC officials in this vital area.

In October, I convened a working group of representatives from the higher education and health sectors, including DHSC officials, to specifically address the current and pressing issues that students are facing during the COVID-19 outbreak. I also wrote to Vice Chancellors, outlining that student welfare should remain a priority, including for students self-isolating in university accommodation.

Since August, Student Space has been available to provide support for students in England and Wales, providing students with a trusted place to access direct one-to-one support, access psychoeducation resources, and a directory to explore what support is available to them locally at their place of study. Funded with up to £3 million by the Office for Students (OfS) and led by Student Minds, it is designed to work alongside existing mental health services. Student Space has now been extended to cover the 2020-21 academic year. Ensuring students have access to quality mental health support is my top priority, which is why I asked the OfS to look at extending the platform.