Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of school closures due to the covid-19 outbreak on the mental health of pupils.

The department is continuing to assess the impact of the potential effect of school closure on children and young people’s mental health. We are working closely with educational institutions, sector organisations, the Department for Health and Social Care, NHS England and Public Health England to understand the risks to mental health and wellbeing and identify the children and young people that need help.

We have published an initial list of online educational resources, including resources to support mental wellbeing, physical activity, and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND): https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-online-education-resources/coronavirus-covid-19-list-of-online-education-resources-for-home-education. This information includes links to guidance that Public Health England has produced for parents and carers on looking after the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people during COVID-19: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-supporting-children-and-young-peoples-mental-health-and-wellbeing.

NHS services remain open and leading mental health charities are being supported to deliver additional services through the £5 million Coronavirus Mental Health Response Fund. The Department for Education is working across government to consider what further support might be appropriate for educational institutions.