Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure consistency in the training teachers receive on mental health illnesses in children.

From our Supporting Mental Health in Schools and Colleges survey (2017), we have identified many schools that offer training to staff on mental health. (https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/634726/Supporting_Mental-Health_survey_report.pdf).

The Children and Young People’s Mental Health Green Paper, to be published before the end of the year, will consider how we secure consistent and quality training.

Round Two of the Teaching and Leadership Innovation Fund (TLIF) is planned to launch in January 2018, with funding of up to £45 million. The TLIF seeks to fund high-quality professional development for teachers and school leaders in the schools and areas of England that need it most. Round Two will focus on a range of specific policy areas, including promoting good mental wellbeing and supporting good mental health in schools. More information on the TLIF Round Two will be available in due course.