Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of increasing rates of probable mental health conditions among young people on academic attendance and attainment in England.

Regular attendance, engagement in learning and educational success can support positive mental health and wellbeing, while poor mental health can act as a barrier to attendance and attainment.

Evidence shows that children and young people with higher levels of wellbeing, on average, achieve better academic outcomes and are more engaged in their education. Conversely, mental health difficulties are associated with lower educational attainment, including poorer GCSE outcomes.

Evidence also indicates that children and young people with a probable mental disorder are around seven times more likely to have missed more than 15 days of school than those unlikely to have a mental disorder.

This is why the government is expanding Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) to cover every school and college by 2029, providing early support for children and young people with emerging mental health needs. As of March 2026, 60% of pupils in schools and learners in further education in England are covered by an MHST, up from 52% in March 2025. We are also working with schools, trusts and local authorities to improve attendance, recognising that supporting pupils' wellbeing and mental health is an important part of helping more children attend and succeed in education.