Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support schools to recognise early signs of rare mental health disorders.

We recognise the importance of early intervention for children and young people’s mental health, which is why we are accelerating the rollout of Mental Health Support Teams (MHST) in schools and colleges in England.

MHSTs are transforming access to mental health support for children and young people by bringing skilled, trusted professionals directly into schools, where support can be delivered early and effectively to make the greatest difference. They offer a clear route to practical help and, where signs of rare mental health disorders are recognised, ensure children and young people are identified quickly and signposted to the specialist care they need.

MHSTs represent a step-change in how we look after children’s mental health and wellbeing, so that it is proactive, preventative, and rooted in the places young people trust. Up to 900,000 additional children and young people will have access to a National Health Service funded MHST in their school or college by spring 2026, and with full national coverage by 2029, MHSTs will create a universal foundation of mental health support across England’s schools.